THE recent, although belated, intervention by Culture Minister Andy Burnham into Wirral Council’s unwanted library closure plans can only be regarded as a slap in the face to the Labour/Lib-Dem pact and in particular Labour council leader Steve Foulkes.

Andy Burnham has been forced into this decision, a remarkable one, being the first such decision in 18 years, by his own Museums Council (MLA) who, rightly, expressed severe concerns about the situation.

In addition, the minister has received numerous letters from concerned Wirral residents urging him to take action.

I personally have received two replies from the culture department stating quite clearly that the minister was taking no action. Suddenly, at the 11th-hour, a complete about face.

For Cllr Foulkes to claim he “welcomes the enquiry” is taking the electorate’s credibility into fantasy land.

This plan was flawed from the outset, it has been continuously opposed by all sections of society in Wirral, could yet well prove to be unlawful and still the council leader, in the face of overwhelming opposition and evidence, continues to support the plan like some latter day Luddite.

We have seen, just in the past year, numerous examples of incompetence and waste of council tax payers’ money, and the leadership is not only discredited it has totally lost the trust and confidence of the people of Wirral.

The proposed, and to date, unproven, savings of approximately £3m could easily be found in other areas.

The leader and his party, together with the opposing faction of the Lib-Dems, should now do the only honourable course of action left to them, and that is to resign their seats immediately, offer themselves for re-election and let the voters decide who they want to lead their council.

Peter Sleeman,

Wallasey.