The Derbyshire Times is to be congratulated both on its very thorough coverage of the story of the county council's unlawful obstruction of a right of way on Cavendish Street in Matlock and on its decision to publish an opinion piece by the Local Democracy Reporter concerned drawing attention to the action of Reform UK which has made it impossible for him to do his job properly.

While the story of the blocked access will no doubt attract more interest locally, the second issue in much more important.

After centuries of struggle, Britain is one of the few countries in the world in which journalists can do their job freely, without fear of imprisonment, interference from politicians or worse. This is a hard-won victory which is fundamental to our way of life. It is also indivisible. It does not matter that this case only involves a few blocks of concrete, some very stupid councillors and one person who wishes to get in and out of her home, or that the story has appeared in a local weekly newspaper with a circulation of less than 10,000. It raises a very important matter of principle, which the Derbyshire Times has done well to publicise and defend.

The case itself demonstrates that Reform UK is wholly unfit to run even a local authority, much less the country. After winning control of twelve county councils two years ago, it had the chance to show that it could administer as well as protest. In Derbyshire the party has thrown away that opportunity by episodes like this one. Anyone with any common sense would have realised that the dispute inherited from the previous Conservative administration should have been settled as quickly as possible without going anywhere near a court.

The current entrance to the former Cavendish Road car park in Matlock, including the concrete Lego-like blocks. Image from David Hughes.

placeholder image — The current entrance to the former Cavendish Road car park in Matlock, including the concrete Lego-like blocks. Image from David Hughes.

Thanks to the obtuseness and incompetence of Reform UK councillors and their officers, the taxpayers of Derbyshire are now facing a legal bill of at least £50,000. This is not the standard of local administration that people voted for in 2024.

Philip Riden

Chesterfield