THE war of words over Sefton Park meadowlands between Sex And The City star Kim Cattrall and Mayor Anderson highlights one thing.

Dissent to any proposals by the ruling Labour administration will be shouted down, no matter where howls of protest come from.

 If certain councillors are not minded to read the paperback version of Sex And The City, perhaps they could leaf their way through Dale Carnegie's advice book, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Earlier this month, for the first time ever, the combined opposition councillors in the council chamber, all 10 of them, joined forces to attack the proposed sale of the Meadowlands, the handing of Walton Hall Park (possibly) to Everton FC, and a list of open spaces earmarked for residential developments (possibly). 

Not only were the 10 hung, drawn and quartered, verbally, by some Labour members, party faithfuls took to social networks to attack the messengers, including Liverpool Confidential. 

Maybe Labour feel that as they have four-fifths of the seats in the council chamber, everything they do, say or propose is unchallengeable by anybody, anywhere, anytime.

In a democracy people have the right to question and challenge, express their views and opinions, and they have the right to be ‘wrong'.

If certain Labour councillors are not minded to read the paperback version of Sex And The City, perhaps they could leaf their way through Dale Carnegie's advice book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

People in this city are well aware of the financial constraints imposed on Liverpool as a result of the drastic cuts ordered by the Coalition Government.

People appreciate difficult decisions are being made. But even when the great unwashed of Liverpool dared to question the need to close 11 public libraries, the literary war of words ensued. 

When there was a last minute change of heart, with the libraries given a reprieve, the message from Dale Street was loud and clear - it was not a u-turn, nor a case of 'people power’.

What's wrong with people power? When the councillors stand shoulder-to-shoulder with citizens to protest about spending cuts, that is people power in action.

Come next May the Labour ranks in the council chamber could be even bigger, perhaps leaving the opposition with so few memebers they could hold their meetings in a phone box.

Where can the people turn to if they have opinions, especially if those opinions conflict with what the city's rulers have decreed? 

People from Liverpool have spread their wings to every corner of the globe, but that doesn't deny them the right to be proud, and vocal scousers.

Kim Cattrall's views about Sefton Park's meadowland are as valid as those of anybody, whether they are a councillor, a mayor, or a resident of this city. 

How many councillors involved in the future of this city were born here? The various accents in the council chamber indicate many have moved here from other places, and most welcome they are too.

It was the English writer Evelyn Beatric Hall who, just over a century ago, penned those famous words often quoted to defend the principle of free speech.

" I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it," she wrote. Perhaps an updated version may have to add the rider ... but not if you are in Liverpool.