GEOFFREY Cox, Tory spokesman for the constituency, gave me such a good laugh when I read the article on page 9 of the Okehampton Times (February 13).

In one breath he attacks the Lib Dems for being pro-regionalisation, and in the next urges people to support their local councillors to stop Devon County Council from being scrapped.

Would that be the same councillors in West Devon where the Lib Dems have the largest party representation?

Mr Cox says that the Lib Dems have done ?absolutely nothing? about the relegation of rural issues. I seem to remember the petition that was taken to, and lobbying done at, Downing Street recently about unfair education funding in Devon was led by South West Lib Dem MPs (John Burnett, our MP, included).

It is a Lib Dem on West Devon Borough Council (Noel Cartwright, I believe) who is leading the fight for fair funding for rural councils. I could go on.

Is Geoffrey Cox really so desperate to become a politician? He already seems to have mastered the art of speaking without thinking first, so I guess he wouldn?t be out of place in Westminster if we did vote for him come the election.

Surely he can do better than this?

Dave Goodwin

Hillfield

South Zeal