Ken Norman, Conservative councillor for Withdean ward's letter (Letters, April 23) is humbug.

It is simply designed to counter the challenge in the forthcoming local election by local residents (Brighton and Hove Independents) - credible members of the Withdean community who have a proven record of service to the local people.

I fail to see how Ken can say he is working with anyone except the Conservative Party.

The Westdene and Withdean Community Association has been established locally for five years and the only contact we have had with Ken is when we invited him and Ann (his wife and fellow councillor) to attend our meetings. They have attended twice in five years. They have never invited us to a meeting or discussed local concerns with us. On the other hand Withdean councillor Pat Drake has always supported us and attended meetings with us.

On the schools issue, contrary to Coun Norman's letter, the only reason he changed his mind was because the Westdene and Withdean Community Association, in conjunction with the Schools4communities group, contacted the Conservative central office in London to question the Conservative policy in supporting lotteries for schools.

Apparently they instructed the local Conservative party to back off and Ken Norman changed his mind on the issue.

  • Michael Whitty, candidate, Brighton and Hove Independents Redhill Drive, East Sussex