Democracy, what's your view of democracy? Most people think of the time every four to five years that we are given the opportunity to cast a vote in favour of a candidate who promises to do certain things if they are elected to Parliament – sometimes, though not too often – they even carry out their promises.

Just a minute though, how about the election of county, district and parish councils, aren't they a part of the democratic system we believe that we live under?

These are elected every so often and are an important part of our democracy aren't they?

However it doesn't appear that way in the Forest of Dean.

Towards the end of last year, 2013, I heard from a friend that there was a vacancy on the Lydney Town Council and was persuaded by him to apply to be a candidate for the seat.

On applying I was told that there wouldn't be an election for it. "Why not?" I asked. The reply was, (wait for it): "It's too expensive."

Too expensive? Too expensive? What happened to democracy? It must have gone out of the door with the retiring member I suppose.

Were they going to 'appoint' someone – one of their friends who think as they do perhaps?

It makes you think, if there is no other explanation. I know that there is an austerity drive on at the moment by this government, which I, and very many others, heartily disagree with, but this was taking it too far.

On enquiring how I could force an election I was told that I would have to get a number of signatures from registered voters in the ward, Lydney West. This I did, and was praised by many residents for doing so. I stood and made myself and my policies known to as many local people as I could. Many told me that they had not received an election card.

I was able to tell them that it isn't absolutely necessary to have one, that they could vote without one.

So few people know that but, as you can well imagine, I was unable to meet everybody to tell them about the election and that not having a card wouldn't prevent them from voting for me or one of the other candidates.

I am not complaining about the final result, someone has to win and others have to lose, obviously I would have like to have won, but that's by the way.

I understand that, not only the election itself seemed unnecessary to the council but, when called for, very many didn't know anything about it, not having had voting cards.

What a poor turn out there was, something around nine per cent of those on the register voted – a disgrace.

I didn't realise how much difference the lack of voting cards made until afterwards.

Since that date I have met a number of people who said that they hadn't voted because they didn't get a card.

Seems to me that a shake-up is required

– Claude Mickleson, Lydney.