Sir, – There are usually only two occasions when (regardless of what they really think of you) colleagues, friends and relatives are usually magnanimous in what they say about you, one is when you die and the other is to step down or retire.

Politicians do the latter when sometimes faced with the prospect of career-ruining publicity or severe criticism from political adversaries – what other reason would John Williams have to ever think or resigning so far advanced from the district council elections in May 2011?

Readers may recall a letter which appeared recently in the Darlington & Stockton Times when I criticised Coun John Williams (who is also the Editorin- Chief of the Town Crier) for failing to even mention the election of Jenny Chapman to Westminster.

Since her election, four editions of the Town Crier have been published, but not one has carried mention of her successful election where she received over 16,000 votes – not even a photograph or details of surgeries have been included.

The root of Jenny Chapman’s problem appears to be that she decided to resign her council seat to concentrate on duties as MP, resulting in a council byelection for her seat in Cockerton.

I understand the Labour Council leader, John Williams, was totally miffed about this, considering she should have continued on as a councillor until May of next year.

My aforementioned letter which carried all the above criticism was also sent to The Northern Echo.

I understand that the letter (which was three weeks overdue) was to be printed in The Northern Echo on Tuesday – it wasn’t, but Coun William’s resignation was!

I remain convinced that come the turn of the year or earlier Coun Williams will persuade someone to persuade him to reconsider his resignation!

PETER JONES Tower Road, Darlington.