IT is now illegal to have religious prayers at the beginning of council meetings, but I think there should nonetheless be a moment of solemnity during which our elected representatives consider the duties they are about to undertake on our behalf.

May I suggest that they recite the following:

I am a councillor

I am the servant of my constituency

I am nothing but a servant

 

I shall respect all peoples and religious choices as equal

I shall respect all legitimate occupations

I shall respect the law of this land

 

Personal gain has no role in my council decisions

Party politics comes after the needs of my constituents

And if I forget these promises then

When I look in the mirror I shall say:

Hypocrite

 

Ann Keelan

Whitchurch Road

Tavistock