ALTHOUGH some way off, the next local elections already offer us a glimmer of hope. The ruling majority will have only one thing on its mind as the elections draw closer - how to win another term in power.

This will require them to try to cause us to forget some of the more controversial (many would say crackpot) policies that they have foisted upon us in this term.

As people are generally quite fickle, those standing for election might think that a five to six-month period of calm will be sufficient for memories of things like increased parking charges, massive council tax rises, the Barbican fiasco and even the current hot topic, rubbish collection, to fade.

Hopefully then, there is only time for, at most, one more nonsensical policy to come before we go to the ballot box. We can then rest easy for a few months!

I urge everyone to use their vote wisely. Let us aim to return a hung council - one where no single political party has a majority.

Just picture that for a moment. A council that had to spend all its time properly debating the issues and listening to the views of the public; with no political allegiance causing votes to be cast purely on party lines.

No ludicrous policies would make it out of the council chamber! Maybe less would get done but, when you consider the "achievements" of this term, I ask if that would be a bad thing?

Jonathan Powell,

Waterdale Park,

York.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, October 10, 2005