I wanted to write to readers of The Argus to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for me in last week’s West Sussex County Council elections.

In these times of mass apathy it takes real commitment to turn out at the polling station, and I am grateful for your support.

I am pleased to say I was duly elected as the county councillor for Worthing Pier with a good majority. I would also like to thank the other candidates who stood for running strong, informative and positive campaigns and helping to bring local politics back to the people of Worthing, where it belongs.

Now we have regained control, we will be able to deliver some really positive results by working together with local councillors and focusing on real issues that matter.

Whether you voted for me or not, I am now your county representative if you live in the Worthing Pier area (south of the railway between The Steyne and Downview Road) and I promise to work hard for you.

First up is new funding for the regeneration of the town centre, sorting out the condition of the roads and pavements and renegotiating the parking situation – the hard work starts now.

Michael Cloake, Conservative county councillor for Worthing Pier

I would like to thank those loyal and forward-thinking people in the Worthing Pier division who voted for me as a county councillor candidate.

Thank you to those who looked beyond the obvious protest and the muddying of local and national politics meant to confuse voters. It was for me a hard fight, but one which was worthwhile.

Talking to residents after the election, it is obvious a large percentage of the public still seem unaware of what voting is about, how it affects them and why they should bother to put a cross on a piece of paper.

As a woman brought up after the war years during rationing, and having learnt about the Suffragettes and the sacrifices our men and women made during the last two world wars, and indeed more recent campaigns, I know why I should vote and keep on voting for the party which best matches my views (not necessarily all the time, it has to be said).

But to stay at home, ignore your postal vote or not even open the door to find out what’s on offer depresses me greatly.

It’s concerning to me that our country, much richer and with more privileges than most countries, is failing its people by not educating them or motivating them to stand up for Britain.

I would have done a great job for them and Worthing, but that’s democracy for you.

I wish the candidates of all three successful parties – Lib Dems, Tories and Ukip – four years of hard endeavour on our behalf.

The work starts now so speak up for us as a community, while I return to my gardening, tree-planting and saving money scheme.

Hazel Thorpe, Lib Dem candidate for Worthing Pier