Sophie verstegen-lambell, of Embleford Crescent, Moretonhampstead, writes:

I am finding it more and more a matter of concern that our district is losing its true state of democracy, and is slipping into that of a mini dictatorship.

I read regularly in local newspapers and hear on the local and national news about countless occasions of local and national government 'railroading' decisions, decisions that go to public vote or consultation and receive public rejection, yet still some of those in power ensure that what is proposed gets approved, due to their own agendas.  

I am finding this issue more and more disturbing: are we or are we not a democracy? If we are a democracy, why is this happening? If the public says 'No' to a proposal, then whatever is proposed should be rejected, should it not?

In the Mid-Devon Advertiser this week I read on the front page of the Newton Abbot edition: 'Homes get go-ahead only after third vote' – 'Public bewildered at planning process'. Homes are to be built at Buckland Barton (just outside Newton Abbot) even after public consultation resulted in a massive rejection of the plans by the residents of Newton Abbot.

the application was to be refused, if it were not for a third push by Cllr Anna Klinkenberg who basically forced the approval, against the public's opinion. To put the icing on the cake a statement was made by chairman Cllr Humphrey Clemens: 'The petition should not be ignored but if public opinion decided every application no houses would be built.'  

I find this statement outrageous.  So basically the residents of Teignbridge (those who pay the council's wages), are not to be given the respect of being listened to and taken seriously as if their opinion lacks any kind of validity. This is outrageous, and highly derogatory, a disgraceful statement.

I do hope that the residents of Teignbridge realise that they have ultimately voted these councillors in to local government and that they stand up and vote them out.

We are supposed to live within a democratic society, not a dictatorship. In my opinion, the attitudes of Anna Klinkenberg and Humphrey Clemens are despicable. I call on the residents of Teignbridge to pull on their steel toe capped voting boots and vote them out.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION