I grew up in Apartheid-era South Africa when the rallying cry was ‘One Man, One Vote'. I never expected I would be calling out this slogan in my adopted ‘free' country of New Zealand.

I have always thought the Labour Party represented blue collar workers, but what I see now is creeping socialism that is overriding the democratic rights of the people. Just as we now see happening elsewhere in Europe.

The Government has lost its integrity, if it ever had any. Minister Mahuta has reneged on her commitment to carry out democratic council elections this year, and is tightening her, and the Government's autocratic grip, on our council. Her lackeys, the commissioners, will of course follow her lead. I'd be tempted to do as well, considering the pay packet they receive.

In protest I'm opening a bank savings account which I am calling ‘democracy'. Into this holding account I will be putting the rates I would be paying to council. The money in this account will be released to council, as it is due, once we have a democratically-elected council.

I urge other ratepayers to do the same. Sanctions are a non-violent way of expressing our disgust at the way we, ratepayers, are being treated.

C Pattison, Papamoa.