THE major political parties play lip service to the concept of localism but none has any intention of implementing real local democracy.

In practice the sort of thing we get is the thrusting upon the people of Swaythling of the City Gateway development. It is totally unsuited to the area and the people of the ward did not want it.

Over 300 objections were lodged with the council, but the ugly monstrosity was built nevertheless.

Why go through the charade of a planning stage consultation if the council’s mind is already made up? This is the very opposite of local democracy.

I would suggest that if we are to have true democracy at the local level in respect of large developments such as City Gateway or the proposed wood burning power plant in the Western Docks, then a binding referendum should be held in the ward or wards affected.

If the answer is ‘no’ then this should trump any planning permission, even that granted by a Government planning inspector.

Perhaps during the run-up to next year’s general election, all of the candidates in the Southampton constituencies, including Romsey and Southampton North, should be asked if they would support the idea of binding local referendums. But then why bother?

At least as far as the big parties are concerned the results are all too readily foreseeable.

Lots more lip service.

KENNETH MACLEAN, Southampton.