I READ with amusement UKIP have decided to parachute a parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean from London.

A man who doesn't even live in the Forest. On the UKIP website he pledges to move soon!

This smacks of desperation and is an insult to the people of the Forest of Dean. Even though I may not agree with UKIP policies I do feel that their local councillors and activists are not trusted to get the job done.

In my opinion this shows a lack of trust at  local party level and an assumption that party HQ can pick and choose who represents Forest folk locally.

The tired old line that is bandied around recently that UKIP offers a change to the established parties has an ironic ring now.

Same old tactics, same old politicians and same old investors — just in a different guise now.

A wolf in sheep's clothing.

– Andrew Knight, Labour's district candidate for Mitcheldean and Drybrook, Cinderford.