As previously reported by the Kirkby Times, if Knowsley Council don't want anyone to know what they are up to, they deliberately hide important public announcements in small print in the sparsely read Liverpool Daily Post, always on a Saturday morning

This is done to make sure very few people will ever see it, and gives them a get out if they are challenged by anybody.

The latest example was on page 24 of the Daily Post, Saturday 6th December 2003. It was to advise residents that 5% of the electorate in the borough, which equals 5,467 electors need to sign a petition if they want a referendum, whether to get rid of the faceless councillors, or have an elected Mayor.

This latest piece of sharp practice comes close on the heels of a blitz of glossy leaflets being put through every letter box singing the praises of the councillors, all paid for of course by the council taxpayer

This secretive and sinister approach is vintage new labour.