I didn’t see Adam Trimingham’s article but since it seems to have encouraged a whole spate of letters in support of Simon Kirby as MP for Brighton Kemptown, I felt a need to offer some less adulatory thoughts.

Simon has indeed been a hard working local MP and appears to be a generally nice bloke.

However, he is also a member of the Conservative Party and has therefore (with our unfortunate party whip system) been a supporter of the current government – a government that has presided over savage cuts to the incomes of the poorest people in our society, has been at best a shaky supporter of our NHS, has totally failed on any commitment to the green agenda, seems committed to closing our doors to immigration including to people who come here to study or who bring much-needed skills and industry to our economy and has changed the local planning laws in favour of developers.

We need to remember we are voting for a government as well as a local representative.

I won't be voting for Simon, although in the unlikely event that he changed his party allegiance, I might reconsider.

Ever thought of joining the Greens, Simon?

Barry Sugg
Ovingdean Road, Brighton