We have all been bombarded with the gory details of outrageous expenditure by our elected representatives at the Palace of Westminster.

Rightly so they are being taken to task for their felonious activities at the expense of us tax payers.

This brings into doubt the qualities and credentials of those elected.

We have it in our power to make changes in that department. That is one issue.

There is another which I consider just as important and that is the way local government is allowed to exploit the less well off members of our community.

There is far too much duplication by all the authorities which adds up to a colossal sum for which we, the community charge payers, have to meet the expense.

I reiterate what many of all political persuasions have said through the Echo letters page, that Dorset County Council, the district councils and parish and town councils should be replaced by one authority.

This could comprehensibly deal with all matters affecting the communities of Dorset without reference to any other body or quango. In fact, it would be a unitary authority There are matters currently dealt with by the various authorities that should be dealt with by central government.

I mean here, the social services, the fire service, policing and education - all of which have at present central government control and ministries.

These costs should be met by central government by way of national insurance and income tax.

When the Maude report was prepared 40 years ago for the reorganisation of local government, we were all going to be better off with less officialdom and less government at much lower cost.

This has not turned out to be the case. There is more meddling and time wasting today and even less actually being accomplished by all the authorities, both national and local. Unless the electorate urge their elected representative to listen and take heed of their needs it is going to get a lot worse.

If you feel that the current system meets your needs then that is fair enough, but really you know and I know the cost of government in its present form is most unsatisfactory.

Tell the media, tell your political representatives. Change for the better does not come automatically. You, the electorate, can make it happen - make your voice heard.

Colin Lucas, Former borough, town, district and county councillor.