By snubbing the wishes of the wider public of the town for greater openness in deliberations about its future, Bingley Town Centre Partnership has also set itself against not only its Labour MP but also the Conservative who is likely to be his opponent at the next election.

Christopher Leslie MP was right to call a public meeting to discuss whether or not the Partnership, which he has chaired for three years, should allow controlled public and press access within any constraints imposed by the need for commercial confidentiality. The Partnership was unwise to stand firm against the vote in favour which came out of that meeting.

The future of Bingley is of concern to everyone in the town. As Prospective Parliamentary Conservative candidate David Senior says, the people of Bingley require an open, democratic forum. They should all be able to attend meetings of the Partnership at which issues of vital importance are discussed.

Admittedly, there might be some risk of discussions being interrupted by members of the public who disagree with the way the unelected Partnership is going. Feelings are running high in Bingley. But that is part of the price which has to be paid for democracy.

Without this sort of openness, the Partnership does indeed risk being viewed as what one Bingley resident described as "nothing but a social club" and its credibility could be harmed.

Its stance is also likely to increase pressure for an elected town council, which will further diffuse the energies which need to be combined and focused to steer Bingley to a successful future.