LETTER: Optimistic about holding a seat?

The recent local elections did not affect Horsham District Council – our councillors will be up for election in May 2015 at the same time as the general election.

Commentators claim that UKIP has taken council seats from all the main parties and that UKIP has become the party of protest. Spokesmen for the Conservative Party say that at the general election, if voters support UKIP, they will let Ed Miliband into No 10 Downing Street.

At local level, traditional Tory voters – totally fed up with their representation on the existing council – where 33 out of 44 seats are Conservative – may decide to repeat what other parts of the country did this time round – and protest by supporting other parties or independents.

The public’s main concern could be the arrogant behaviour of current Tory councillors over the Strategic Plan for housing in the district and how they treat other councillors in the same group who hold differing views and dare to advance those on behalf of their local residents.

If I were one of the local Tory councillors whose activities have been regularly reported in your columns – would I be optimistic about holding my seat?

MAUREEN BOWN

Gorringes Brook, Horsham