SO Mr Charnock believes I am a ranter.

Well he should know by the letters in the local press by him that I have read in recent months.

He should remember that one person's rant is another's common sense.

Also, I'm afraid that his intended punchline insult was more Beano Bash Street Kids than Gerald Scarfe. He should consult Mr Roberts for the clever stuff.

I'm sorry, but 'I've lived too long in the woods to be afraid of owls'.

I do believe however, that on a local basis the UKIP county councillors are doing a fair job helping to expose the undemocratic and negative actions towards our Forest community by Gloucestershire. County Council, Forest of Dean Council and their supporters.

I find little to disagree with them on this basis and I admit that this is coming from a lifetime 'Old Labour' supporter in the true Forest tradition.

Nationally however, I see UKIP as a narrowly focused, obsessive movement against Europe and immigration which is, of course, suddenly fashionable with other politicians of various persuasions, all suddenly trying to outdo one another in 'what to do about all these dastardly foreigners' in order to outdo Mr Farage.

Perhaps they should lean on more bars, quaff more pints of ale and smoke more fags at one time than him, to look more like the 'man or woman in the street'.

No wonder people are cynical of all politicians nowadays and can't stir themselves to vote.

For goodness sake, only 30 per cent managed to vote in the last local county council election and only 38 per cent of those voted for the 'winner', which meant that only around 11 per cent of the electorate voted for him.

He must have got all his family and mates out for the occasion (am I ranting or complaining?).

I believe that the Confederation of British Industry has got it spot on by saying that to leave the EU, resulting in the economic barriers going up, would be a disaster for the UK economy and by not employing people from abroad  when we have a massive skills shortage would prevent our industries and social services from functioning properly to the detriment of all of us.

We live in a global economy whether we like it or not and must act accordingly by avoiding isolation to ensure the progress and well-being of our great country for future generations. I rest my case.

– John Belcher, Berry Hill.