In a new column on Biddulph Nub News, the town's Labour councillors have had their say on several topics.

It includes a response to a letter by Biddulph's mayor, Cllr John Jones, which stated those accusing the town council of exchanging "brown envelopes" had "sad little lives".

Councillors have also responded to a recent motion for the council to "resist every attempt" to incorporate Biddulph into Stoke-on-Trent.

Read what they had to say below:

The Labour Councillors of Biddulph Town Council would just like to draw readers attention to the following issues:

Firstly we would like it noting on public record that although our Town Mayor Cllr John Jones signed his letter to the Chronicle stating that some of the citizens in this town have 'sad little lives' - this was not done in our name and we would like to completely disassociate ourselves with such derogatory comments made by the first citizen of our town.

In fact, as Town Councillors were not given sight of this letter before it was published and as it was signed Biddulph Town Mayor - we would argue, given it was not the view of all councillors, Cllr Jones should not have been published it the first place using the first citizen title.

Secondly, at last night's Town Council Meeting, Cllr Hart put forward a motion that was worded as follows: "This Council will resist all and every attempt to incorporate Biddulph into Stoke-on-Trent, either at local government or parliamentary level."

This motion was nonsense and a waste of democratic time. There is NO indication that this fictional scenario is on the horizon. Cllr Hart states it stems from a White Paper, a paper that has not been publicly published; therefore we're not entirely sure how Cllr Hart could be abreast of its contents.

If it is to be turned into a Bill before parliament in the distant future; it would be Conservative Policy and a Conservative Bill based on a Conservative manifesto pledge of devolution that can be found on page 29 of said manifesto. Last night's motion was nothing more than political showmanship and grandstanding.

How could the Town Council vote on a motion where the possibility of that motion occurring doesn't even exist at present in any shape or form, where the Town Council has no detail or evidence to consider, no papers before it? Therefore, the Labour team on Biddulph Town Council abstained because the motion itself was farcical.

Interestingly - we asked for the 'Independent' group to lobby their local Conservative MPs if they wish that such a possibility should never occur; after all the unpublished White Paper has been written in their name and two of our Independent Councillors have very close ties with Karen Bradley MP - Cllr Hart using his land to show the MP's election slogans and Cllr Hall accompanies the MP in her face to face surgeries in Biddulph.

We wish that the Biddulph 'Independent' Councillors who operate largely as a collective either form their own party, nail their blue colours to the mast or refrain from professing their independence.

If they participate in group meetings; vote for leadership of committees from group members only and vote together for daft motions - they are absolutely not Independent!

Credit where credit is due; at least Cllr Davies and Barlow had the courage to see through the ridiculous motion proposed last night.

As for the 'best person for the job' when they vote for their team mates - it's quite clear to the public that those leaders need IT lessons, to brush up on their counting skills and learn the standing orders that dictate debate; because if they are the best the 'Independents' have we're in trouble!

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