IT seems that UKIP has touched a raw nerve with the Labour Party.

Although, we are not professional politicians like councillors Hogan and Martin, Forest of Dean UKIP fully understands electoral law.

We may only be ordinary working people but we have a profound love for the electoral traditions of Britain. As such, we believed that there existed a "gentleman's agreement" that after the death of a district councilor, the party to which they belonged had a moral duty to trigger an election within a reasonable time limit.

For instance, when Frank Beard died in September 2011, the Cinderford West by-election took place in early January 2012. Due respect was shown to the family of the deceased and the council staff were still able to enjoy their Christmas holidays.

Furthermore, UKIP were reliably informed by a leading and respected councillor that an election was definitely going to be called for early January 2013. We accepted this assurance in good faith.

It was only when this failed to happen that we wrote to the papers asking residents who wanted to have an election to contact us so that we could facilitate the process.

Incidentally,Mr Hogan, you have met me before. During the last General Election, I attended a meeting at Newnham featuring all the party candidates. I asked you a question about the effect of Labour's open door immigration policy upon working class communities.

You singularly failed to discuss the issue and implied that anyone raising these concerns was racist.

I hope that this matter can now be put to rest and the real issues concerning Berry Hill can be addressed.

– Richard Leppington, UKIP.