My fellow Preston Park candidates and I would like to say how pleased we are that one of the city’s flagship parks will receive so much exposure through the upcoming Pride festival.

Like last year we are hoping to be the biggest political group there, especially since it is the first Festival since the Conservatives’ huge role in legalising same sex marriage. MPs, candidates and local activists from the city and all over the country will be joining in with the festivities, to show that our party is one of tolerance, fairness and equality.

Here in Brighton & Hove, The Conservative group, led by Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, has always been a strong supporter of the Pride events and at our last Budget Council, succeeded in getting £25,000 allocated for the Community Pride and Village party.

I would also like to close this letter by thanking the 1,800 people who signed our petition for improved toilet facilities by The Rotunda Café. Through talking to the proprietor of the café, residents on the door step and seeing first-hand the appalling condition of the facilities, we thought it was shocking that parents would often have to take their children home rather than use the toilets there due to fear of infection and diseases, so set about creating a petition that would raise awareness of this issue to the council.

As you may already know through reading this paper earlier in the week, the toilets are set to be refurbished, with a full report published in October’s Environment Committee meeting, following my running mate, Lee Wares’ excellent presentation to full council July 17.

We will be around all day on the stall during Pride, so please do say hello!

Sam Evans Conservative Candidate for Preston Park