AS a district councillor I was elected by the people of Mitcheldean and Drybrook to serve them on the Forest of Dean District Council as an independent.

I worked on my own producing and paying for my own leaflets, delivering them myself and therefore getting elected as a total independent. I was once described by a local conservative as a true independent when being introduced and I have to say I was very proud of that.

For Cllr McMahon to then write in the papers saying that the district council was effectively run by a Conservative and Independent coalition has made my blood boil. He chooses to be in a political party, I don't.

I can vote in anyway I see fit and every independent councillor has a total right to do that.

In many instances over the last two years I have witnessed councillors from both main parties towing the party line and I have witnessed many Independents voting in different ways to me, but as independents they are expressing their view and all independents should be judged on their own merits as we are not a party!

Judge me on the way I vote and the work I do. I have consistently voted against parking charges and fought very hard for their removal in Mitcheldean.

Others have tried to jump on that bandwagon but it was my motion that was passed at full council and it is my intention to carry on fighting for businesses in Mitcheldean.

I would also like to comment on the campaign for free parking by UKIP who I have to say had no input into fighting the implementation of these charges at all but have used them to get elected. I have tried to work from within by being a member of committees like the scrutiny committee and have argued my case at endless meetings. I would also like to remind Cllr McMahon that the Cabinet system he abhors so much was brought in under Labour and that no real attempt has been made by them to get rid of it.

As an independent I will continue to work for the community I represent and vote as I see fit.

– Cllr Ian Whitburn, Mitcheldean and Drybrook, Forest of Dean District Council.