SIR – In response to Keith Rayner’s letter concerning Bradford councillors (T&A, May 9), I think he, like many people, really doesn’t understand the hard work our local councillors put in – or the very modest wages they are paid.

As the daughter of a councillor – the wonderful Ruth Billheimer of Eccleshill ward – I grew up understanding that my mum was never off duty.

My childhood memories are not only of her working six days a week, and many evenings, but also of the many, many phone calls and knocks at the door at any time of night or day.

It may be true that most workers can’t claim for car park fees – though actually many can – but also most workers don’t give out their home address and phone numbers to the general public and then lay themselves open to addressing other people’s problems on a 24/7 basis.

It’s too easy, and too fashionable, to attack politicians in this country, but democracy is only possible because of the many decent councillors of every party who are prepared to devote their lives to fighting to improve our country for all of us, and for a salary which, given the hours worked, barely reaches minimum wage.

Rachel Amdurer, Woodlesford Crescent, Halifax