Worthing election - letters of thanks

Thanks from....

Dear Sir

It was my pleasure to stand as a Green candidate in Marine ward, the most democratic ward in the town where voters were given a choice of five candidates. While the Tories won here, there were less than 150 votes between the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party in third place. This is a resounding success for Green candidates, and taken with our growing support across Worthing proves that, winning more votes than Labour and UKIP, we are Worthing's third credible party.

This is a vast achievement. For the first time in Worthing's electoral history, a grassroots party have competed seriously. While the Conservatives and Liberal democrats relied on a campaigning machine which had seen troops from as far afield as Swansea drafted in to help on the campaign trail, the Green campaign was all local.

And both parties ran what Councillor Sheila Player, the lady at the heart of the Sherylgate scandal, called a 'dirty and vicious' campaign. As a new comer to the proceedings I was shocked by the back-biting competitiveness of the two leading parties, who seem to think that beating the other team is more important than tackling real local issues affecting all of us who live in Worthing.

For years, the cut-throat yo-yoing between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats has forced limits on the efficiency of the running of Worthing. The election of just one green councillor could positively affect the decisions made by the council, adding checks and balances which would and bring benefits to residents, visitors and businesses in Worthing.

Before the election count, the last time I was in the Assembly Hall was about a week ago to watch my daughter at the Worthing Town Football Club presentation night. Last night (Thursday) in the same venue I watched some people behaving like drunken hecklers at a nightclub during a Green Party candidate's speech.

I can't help but think that the altogether more civilised way that families supported their children's achievements should be a lesson to some people.

This is why the Greens are growing: we are local candidates, supported by a local team, infused with integrity and friendly intelligence. So please, watch out for us next time - we're Worthing's only credible alternative!

Tracey Thompson, Chancton View Road, Worthing

Thanks for not voting...

May I through your letters page say a big thank you to all the residents of Northbrook Ward, Worthing, who responded to our leaflet and sent a powerful message of no confidence in the council by not voting.

Despite not getting to the entire Ward, nearly 80 per cent of those eligible to vote stayed at home.

Whilst we acknowledge that the council were unpopular because of the increasing council tax and the Sherylgate affair, it's their spineless obedience to the string pullers at county hall that annoys most. How can you have any respect for the council when they agreed to the destruction of hundreds of trees along Titnore Lane just because West Sussex County Council refused to agree a 40mph speed limit?

Yours sincerely

John Clark

Protect Our Woodland

Worthing West Sussex

Letter from defeated councillor Kenny Brady

I would like, through your newspaper if I may, to express my sincere thanks to everyone who supported me in the recent election in Gaisford ward.

I enjoyed my time as a councillor immensely and wish Alan Rice, who narrowly gained the seat, the very, very best of luck. I am sure he will agree with me that those recounts were really exciting.

After a well fought and refreshingly positive campaign, and political differences aside, somehow losing to Alan seems okay. He has my sincere congratulations in winning the seat after working hard as my adversary for the last three years.

I lost, it happens, and as always one is only really left with regret for those who helped you in the campaign who may now be feeling disappointed.

I do hope that they, like me, realise that this is simple and very temporary setback and I look forward to the next round of campaigning.

It is still a Conservative run council and I will certainly continue to enjoy supporting my colleagues from my new position in the Conservative association background.

Yours,

Kenny Brady

I WOULD like to thank everyone who voted for one of the three UK Independence Party candidates in the Worthing Borough Council election. This has been the first time we have fielded candidates for Worthing Council and with this in mind, we are pleased with our results.

The UK Independence Party is active in Worthing and working hard to free Britain from the EU. We will continue to monitor local politics in all areas, particularly in relation to issues where Brussels interference is involved, such as the money the council sends out to the South East Regional Assembly (SEERA) of which UKIP is working to abolish. UKIP policies would result in lower council taxes along with changes to local democracy that will give the general public more control over local affairs and hopefully will result in higher election turnouts. We hope to build on our current achievements and field more candidates in the next local elections.

Phil Ruddock

Chairman of UKIP Worthing West Branch

Dear Sir,

I am truly humbled by the immense support I received on the doorsteps of Gaisford which was translated into votes last Thursday, and my election as Liberal Democrat representative to the Borough council.

Please convey my grateful thanks to all those that voted for me and also to my worthy opponent, Kenny Brady for all the work he has put in over the past two years and for keeping the seat warm. His election address referred to Kenny as a man of ideas and I would welcome any that he wished to share during my time as councillor.

My intention is to represent the views and wishes of all the residents of Gaisford, regardless of whichever political party they support, and look forward to receiving their valued comment and questions.

Let's work together to give a bright future to both Gaisford and Worthing.

Yours faithfully

Alan Rice

Dear Sir

I wish to thank all the residents in Durrington who supported me in last Thursday's election. I would also like to thank my fellow councillors and officers who have been so supportive of me during my term as a councillor over the last two years and all those who worked so hard during my election campaign.

Thank you to you all.

Ann Sayers.