I AM glad to support the Chronicle's campaign for 'Proper Papers Not Propaganda' against h&f news - the Conservative-run council's tax payer-funded propaganda sheet.

h&f news is now widely recognised as having been a key component of the corruption of any sense of local political independence that had long been a core value of all British government institutions.

Imagine the outcry if a national UK government decided to spend taxpayers' money producing a fortnightly national propaganda paper - which it dressed up as an independent newspaper and delivered to people's homes for free. It would cause concern about the state of our democracy at an international level.

Why, therefore, do those involved think it's OK for Hammersmith and Fulham's local government to produce this aberration? h&f news has brought our council into disrepute.

My fellow Labour councillors and I have long campaigned against the council's propaganda paper, as people can read on this website: tinyurl.com/cowanfree press. That's why we have pledged to dispose of h&f news in our manifesto.

We will also cut council advertising, reduce the press office to a minimum and in doing so save £5million.

The Chronicle is joining a long line of those that are appalled by the propaganda in our borough.

Last October, parliamentarians of all parties attacked it at at select committee; last August, the Evening Standard published a withering exposé; and even the TaxPayers' Alliance told H&F's Conservatives to 'hang their heads in shame'.

As well as the h&f news, the council has purchased self-promoting (and often misleading) adverts fluttering from every lamppost; has bought more adverts in Tube stations; and even paid for a giant advertising hoarding to be strapped to a van and driven around. This taxpayer-funded political promotion must stop.

I congratulate the Chronicle on its campaign.

COUNCILLOR STEPHEN COWAN Labour leader of the opposition

The London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham