I HAVE read with interest the Letters page of your paper regarding the election in Berry Hill.

Firstly, it seems that the UKIP candidate's "tongue in cheek" remarks about Mr Gwilliam have been taken far too seriously.

More seriously though there is a big contradiction in Mr Gwilliam's position. On the one hand he claims to be totally independent, while on the other he stands under the Labour Party banner.

Surely if you stand as a candidate for a particular party then you are expected to toe the party line?

The Cinderford controlled Labour group seem to be pushing hard for the Northern Arc development at the expense of Berry Hill. Therefore, when it comes down to it, Mr Gwilliam will have to do what he is told, regardless of Berry Hill's interests.

If he wants to be truly independent then he should either stand as an Independent or as a supporter of FANS.

From what I have read, it appears that the UKIP candidate is the only one who will actually put the people first.

– D. Thomas, Grove Road, Berry Hill.