DEREK Brooks regularly writes to support the Conservatives and berate Labour.

His recent attack on Labour leader Mike Connolly’s thoughts about unauthorised advertisements and A boards is wide of the mark however.

Perhaps he should note what none other than Conservative government minister Eric Pickles thought about this matter in August last year, when he said: “Our streets are losing their English character. We are being overrun by scruffy signs — we need to cut the clutter. Common sense tells us uncluttered streets have a fresher, freer authentic feel, which are safer and easier to maintain.”

For once I agreed with the forthright Mr Pickles. But now I find that one of his local, equally forthright supporters chooses to criticise our very own Labour leader for following the Government’s advice to get rid of unnecessary signs and advertisments.

Indeed Communities Secretary Mr Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond wrote to council leaders calling on them to reduce the number of signs and other street clutter.

Observer