The Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Tiverton and Honiton has recently suggested that Sara Randall Johnson resign over her handling of the fight against the formation of a unitary council for Devon. He also questioned the financia

The Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Tiverton and Honiton has recently suggested that Sara Randall Johnson resign over her handling of the fight against the formation of a unitary council for Devon. He also questioned the financial management of East Devon District Council.What he expects to achieve by both suggestions is unknown. Unlike his own Liberal Democrat run Devon County Council, EDDC has, over the years, kept some money in reserve for the bad times and has now been able to declare a "nil" increase in council tax for 2009/10. Not so in Devon County Council. They borrowed substantially and debts are well over �600m. So, no "nil" increase in DCC. In recent years, financial management, under the leadership of Sara Randall Johnson, has never been better. As an example, her decisions with regard to the government's concessionary fare scheme, fully supported by the executive board, saved the council tax payers �1.9m, whilst some other district councils were in deep financial difficulties.The fight against the unitary council idea will no doubt go on. The action by EDDC has been vindicated - the Boundary Committee did not consult the people of Devon and have been criticised for it.One fact that the Liberal Democrat candidate should be aware, you need to have done your homework in East Devon. The people are not easily fooled and making suggestions based on a political whim instead of facts will not impress the electorate.Peter HalseEddystone Langford Road Honito