HARLOW’S sole Reform councillor has hit out at the Conservative-run council’s decision to request this May’s local election be cancelled.

Mark Hall councillor Paul Jago said: “May I say I am extremely disappointed, if not furious, that the May elections have been cancelled and the complete contempt shown to the people of Harlow.  Democracy has been given an almighty blow in today’s world of self-preservation above all else.

I know “Building Harlow’s Future” is a worthy cause, but to use this as a lever to deny people their rights is a disgrace.

Do the people in control of the council think councillors are not worthy or incapable of knowing what Harlow people hold dear?

An under-used word is called co-operation, with council projects etc.  Councillors are put in place to represent the people of Harlow who voted for them/us.  Have they forgotten “voted for them/us?” It now seems to me that democracy doesn’t matter to some people anymore.

“I understand the many reasons that are being expressed as to why these elections have been cancelled e.g. money, waste of time as we will have to repeat it all again next year.

But, if “similar” circumstances arise again will the same excuse be used?”