IN THE Adver (January 4, 2016) we read of another Tory promise; this time Councillor Elliott (Con Priory Vale). The front page of the Adver reads, "We promise this won't happen", over a photo of a flood. Will Coun Elliott or the builders promise to compensate anyone affected by a flood in east Swindon? I doubt it!

Coun Elliot says flood mitigation plans for the new houses in Eastern Villages will have the right level of protection and houses will be built to the highest standards.

It is obvious to me that Coun Elliot does not understand the water cycle, and little about flooding. When we build hard roads and roofs on house we stop rain water soaking through the ground into aquifer and it quickly runs into rivers. The rivers can't cope with an immediate flow of rain so it accumulates into a flood.

For the Eastern Villages the Environmental Agency says the restoration of the Liden flood plain is required; not only will it require restoration it will require regular maintenance.

Several years ago at a Council meeting, following a previous flood, I asked the Council about cleaning drains and gullies. The response began 'due to cut backs...'. I commented 'if it can't be seen it is out of sight, and out of mind'.

We have built on flood plains for years and included 'flood defences', where Swindon Council fails is maintain these defences; just look at the obstructions in Haydon Wick's flood defences (photo top of SA page 2)! Who is responsible?

Lord Krebs says if we continue to build on the Flood Plain we are storing up problems for the future generations. I ask, where will our builder be then? Possibly sunning themselves and their guests in the Bahamas?

MIKE SPRY

Mayfield Close

Nythe

ANOTHER Tory Honours List!

What a tawdry, besmirched institution it has become.

What did Lynton Crosby receive a knighthood exactly for?

Crosby is simply the devious political strategist who masterminded the Tory surprise General Election win.

He's not even British! He was already handsomely rewarded. Cameron called him a 'great public servant.' I'd read ' great Conservative Party servant.'

Then there's Jacqueline Gold-one of Britain's richest women and is acknowledged as running a thriving business.

But since when did selling a rampart rabbit-or indeed any sort of sex toy-have anything to do with the lasting national good?

LIn Homer, who, having been a total disaster as Head of the UK Border Agency, is now making a bigger mess as Head of Her

Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Under her leadership, HMRC is hardly out of the headlines-either for its failure to answer 'phone calls from frustrated taxpayers or for

its willingness to allow big businesses off huge corporation tax bills. For this dreadful track record she is to be made a Dame! After every disaster the

woman has been promoted!

The corrupt system rewards failure.

A national honour should acknowledge outstanding service, not length of service.

Then there's 'Sir' Ed Davey for his work as ex Energy Secretary-for simply turning up for work!

Then there's five abortions Barbara Windsor-a one-time gangster's moll, and friend of the violent Krays. Best known

for parting with her bra in Carry on Camping, among other things! Not exactly a top actress. Seedy -like the Honours System!

Those who hand out the gongs-step forward Mr Cameron-seem determined to drag the system further into ridicule and disrepute. He seems

fond of elevating his work chums to the peerage.

Many of these 'honours' are bought through fame, fortune or political donation.

Some have 'worked hard' it seems, by, in effect, merely having their names listed at the top of a Charity letter and nothing more.

The time is not far off when respectable people will no longer wish to see their names listed in such less-than-honourable company?

Apparently over half the recipients of high honours ( knighthood and above) were privately educated and from privileged backgrounds.

Little has changed.

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury

Swindon

RE THE illegal immigrant who walked the Euro tunnel endangering life.

You break the law, it slams down on us, as with me if I break it!

This is what the law is for, isn't it?

No! Unless of course you are an illegal immigrant-not even from Europe.

What's to stop the rest of them-the Barbarians at the Gate-from simply waiting for the right

moment and then charge through? Very little it appears.

There will of course be light at the end of the tunnel for them: asylum, housing, freebies the lot!

No charges for trespassing! They break the law by entering this country illegally, and then this excuse of a government gives them asylum!

You or I walk through-they'd throw the book at us!

I'm inclined to agree with a previous writer who said that this Government- really wants to

swamp this country with them.

This incident is a national disgrace. So much for border control at the end of the tunnel. Come on in!

STEVE NIBBS

Milton Road

Swindon