I READ (LET, May 29) with disbelief the saga of councillor-in-name-only Graham Pound and the antics of Blackburn with Darwen Council's Conservative group as they try desperately to prevent a by-election and voters electing a councillor who actually has an interest in the ward they represent.

Now only is it unethical for a person to claim Blackburn taxpayers' money in allowances when he is obviously not carrying out his duties, but it shows that Blackburn Conservative Association has a scandalous contempt for voters in allowing this situation to continue -- despite the matter being exposed quite magnificently by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

As a frequent Conservative voter, I am appalled that this is done by people who are supposed to be acting in my name. I think voters in Corporation Park, regardless of their politics, should gather a petition calling for Graham Pound to resign and, if not him, Coun Alan Cottam who is apparently behind this and get a by-election called so that the people of can get a representative who is there to act on their behalf not simply coin in £350 a month of their hard-earned taxes.

ALAN JONES, Beardwood Brow, Blackburn.