SOMETIMES it is a curse being a cynical journalist who, it seems, can never see the good in people, without suspecting some ulterior motive. Why do we have to be suspicious when Redbridge Tories, led by leader Cllr Keith Prince, listen to the will of the

SOMETIMES it is a curse being a cynical journalist who, it seems, can never see the good in people, without suspecting some ulterior motive.

Why do we have to be suspicious when Redbridge Tories, led by leader Cllr Keith Prince, "listen to the will of the people" and do a U-turn on the archives cuts?

Surely the looming local elections have nothing to do with the decision - even though all parties will be claiming credit.

I can't imagine the experience of the Labour group, who lost control of the council in the 1990s after being lambasted for threatening to cut funding for the Kenneth More Theatre, had anything to do with it.

Freezing council tax is a real vote-winner too - apart from the fact most councils seem to have done the same.

Anyone who suggests there will be cuts in children's services - no voters there - should go to their room!

Taking my cynical head off for a moment, the crux of it is democracy does seem to have run its course with a healthily balanced council enabling voices to be heard and a consensus decision to be made.

It would be far worse if the ruling party dug its heels in and stuck to its guns when making savings. Let's see what happens after May though!