THE refusal of Robert Gould, the Conservative leader of West Dorset District Council, to attend a public meeting to defend his plans to use West Dorset tax players money to move council offices beggars belief.

Part of living in a democracy is that you have to stand up and explain decisions from time to time.

Mr Gould has had every opportunity to explain what to most people seems a barmy waste of public money but has always shied away.

Some weeks ago a local Conservative lady rang me to ask why weren’t the Lib-Dems trying to arrange a public meeting about this ludicrous scheme to move offices.

She had rung both Robert Gould and the local West Dorset MP who she said both had no intention of justifying the proposals in a public forum.

Lib-Dem Sue Farrant is only responding to public demand by arranging the meeting (March 24 at 6.30pm in the United Church, Dorchester).

The people of West Dorset are very concerned by this scheme to spend their money and somebody has to question it.

If that’s electioneering then Mr Gould only has himself to blame.

Coun Richard Biggs, Bridport Road Dorchester