The bad news and spread-a-rumour machine is working hard to put the present round of consultation about the unitary Devon proposals in a bad light.

The bad news and spread-a-rumour machine is working hard to put the present round of consultation about the unitary Devon proposals in a bad light. MP Hugo Swire is evidently so out of touch that he resorts to laying false trails designed to confuse and ruin many of the good things that are coming out of the unitary debate, rather than to encourage good practices and economic stability, which can only be realised by entering into a new era with a single unitary council for Devon.How he can possibly stand up and quote a figure of �70 million as an accurate cost for the start-up money needed to set up a unitary Devon, flying in the face of the advice given by many well-qualified and learned people? The estimates, and that is what they are for this task, have been reached after many hours of research into the costs of the district councils and the implications relevant to a change over of control, suggest a very much lower figure. The savings made will allow this to be recouped very quickly, probably in only three or four years. East Devon District Council leader Sara Randall Johnson has suggested that joining in with other district councils to share costs and provide joint services could make the same savings. If this is the case, then why has this not been done before? This is a typical reaction by a politician who has been found out and who faces the possibility of a loss of power. The truth hits home and hurts when enforced changes are placed on them - with evidence of just how these savings can be achieved. But what hurts more is the thought that they will soon be thrown off the gravy train with little chance for them to again be a big fish in a little pond.Clive Allen,2 Pankhurst Close, Exmouth.