THE letters pages of the Journal are generally full of notices of dissatisfaction with our council, whether it is centred on the hated busway or with planning decisions the reflection is that there is unease with the way we are being governed.

In last week’s edition, the letters covered, sex education, the busway, (of course), and planners who have no sense of geography.

I tend to agree with most of the comments, and as a long-term critic of the bus scheme I even agreed with one of its few supporters that we need a better transport link with Manchester City Centre, sadly this is not the solution.

It seemed strange TFgM said there was not enough money to link this area to the tram network, and yet this week announced that Stockport, already well-served with railway links, will be the next area to get a tram link.

It is policies like this, and the behaviour at the recent council meeting that has led me to take action, and I am intending to stand for the council in May, to represent the people of Astley and Mosely Common.

Council meetings should be there to discuss governing the borough, not for petty squabbles that waste council taxpayers money, because no items were debated.

I cannot promise to stop the plans already in progress, but if elected I will work to try and ensure future ‘improvements are for the benefit of local residents.

I believe it is time to make a stand.

I hope in less than a hundred days all voters will put party loyalties on one side and vote for the person and the work they are likely to do on the electorates behalf.

John Stirzaker