Jumping the gun

SIR, — Your correspondent Mr Philip Webster suggested (Herts Advertiser, March 26) that Cllr Mike Ellis should enrol for a course on Government and Politics. A good, practical idea. But first he ought to enrol for a course on the English language, for in

SIR, - Your correspondent Mr Philip Webster suggested (Herts Advertiser, March 26) that Cllr Mike Ellis should enrol for a course on Government and Politics. A good, practical idea.

But first he ought to enrol for a course on the English language, for in the same issue Cllr Ellis writes that, "part pedestrianisation will provide a much pleasanter shopping and leisure environment in the city centre" (my emphasis).

He doesn't seem to know that it is not appropriate to use the future tense when the pedestrianisation is only an idea. He may have made up his mind on this subject because he hasn't listened to what the electors have been telling him for the last 10-plus years, but this does not mean that this unwanted idea will be imposed on the city.

It's all very fine to create a pleasanter shopping environment, but it is doubtful there will be any shops left once this council has drained the life-blood out of the city by its pathetic insistence on a scheme that is as misguided as it is unpopular.

JOHN WHINNEY

Homewood Road, St Albans