I MUST agree totally with John Porter's first paragraph in which he comments about pay rises for MPs and local councillors, whilst others are denied.

However, I must totally disagree with the second paragraph where he criticises the local Conservative party, who twice failed to answer his emails in which he asked if the local MP Robert Syms is ever seen in the town.

First, let me say I'm not a member of the Conservative party, nor am I in any way connected to the local party or the MP Mr Robert Syms.

What I do know however is that I have emailed Mr Syms on quite a few occasions, some of the emails have been critical of the Conservative party stance on various subjects and on every occasion, he has taken the trouble to send me a personal reply.

Perhaps Mr Porter should try emailing him personally, rather than the local Conservative party and ask a specific question, to which I'm sure he would reply.

Colin Moyes

Hamworthy