Sir,-I am sure that many Hounslow residents will be disappointed that our new Mayor, Councillor John Connolly, was not present to represent our borough when the Queen visited Gunnersbury Park last week as part of her Golden Jubilee Tour.

The Mayors of Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham were there, but Councillor Connolly evidently had a prior engagement, even though the event was planned for over a year and it is surely the most important event of Mayor Connolly's short year in office.

I am sure that the newly elected Councillor Sohan Sangha did as good a job deputising for Councillor Connolly as he did when representing Hounslow at the magnificent Golden Jubilee Mass in Chiswick Parish Church last month.

Even though he is a Sikh, Councillor Sangha entered fully into the spirit of the Mass and his dignified presence did honour to The Queen, the Church and Hounslow.

I think Hounslow residents are entitled to know why our Mayor is so reluctant to represent us on such important occasions.

Is he a militant Republican ? Does he favour abolition of the monarchy ?

Does he feel that he is unable to drink the Queen's health and thank her for her fifty years of service to the nation and to the Commonwealth ?

Is he a fit person to represent us as Mayor ?

I think we are entitled to know.-David Giles Wolseley Gardens, Chiswick.

July 9, 2002 11:30