Sir/Madam

As I understand the public office of Mayor it is strictly non-political and represents all of the people in the borough. The mayor's personal views are private and not public in the year of office because the high public office represents all of the people of the borough that they have the honour of serving.

Would therefore the current Mayor of Kingston upon Thames, elected by the ruling Liberal Democrat party, explain why she refused a minute’s silence at the last council meeting to show a mark of respect for a former Prime Minister of this country.

Some of the people of this borough are Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative, UKIP, Independent and others. None of this should matter. The mayor represents all of the people.

Respect is due to everyone in death no matter if they are a murderer, terrorist or simply an enemy of the nation. Someone loved them and proper respect should have been shown. It is an utterly disgraceful action by a public office Mayor.

Ray Batson