You state in your editorial this week that "The longer one looks back, the stronger is the socialist vote from the larger part of the Forest....." I would remind you and your readers that Charles Dilke was a Liberal and I believe that the Forest still contains a large number of Liberal minded people.

Andrew Gardiner cites the Independents on the letters page, saying that they pay and make their own way when standing as candidates. Lib Dems do not receive big grants, but rely on donations from ordinary men and women who believe in the ethos of Liberal democracy. We write and design our own leaflets, and I have to say that we have rarely spent anywhere near the limit allowed.

Reading the Lib Dem leaflets in the recent election, it was pointed out to me that all the candidates were people who help others in a variety of ways. The Conservative leaflet, on the other hand was remarkable in that it appeared to be exactly the same for each candidate! Bland statements with only a change of name make me wonder whether the Tories are ashamed of their community involvement, or perhaps they just do not think it matters. – Sue Henchley, chair, Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats.