COUNCILLOR DawnBarnett suggests Coun Alex Phillips should “step down” as she is away for two months in Cameroon as part of a teaching course (The Argus, March 9).

What a short memory Coun Barnett has.

Alex Phillips won the Goldsmid by-election three years ago, depriving the Conservative administration of its majority,andtherebyenabling the opposition to frustrate the more damaging Tory cuts – Bright Start Nursery and Connexions to name but two.

And why was the by-election called? Conservative councillor Paul Lainchbury had been absent for a year or more and was still claiming his allowance – Coun Phillips won’t be while she’s away.

In the end, he resigned through public pressure.

Consequently, a True Blue Hove seat went Green and, of course, Coun Phillips was reelected last May with both the other seats going Green.

This suggests the sensible electorate in Goldsmid ward want a representative who lives locally. I’m sure they don’t mind her working towards a life after politics.

Debate policies and politics by all means, Coun Barnett but crass attempts at point-scoring, such as this, are hypocritical and back-fire very easily.

Alex Knutsen, Unison, Brighton

I HOPE nobody will try to make political capital out of the temporary absence of Councillor Alex Phillips, who takes a two-month leave of absence from council duties to further her training as a teacher.

Coun Phillips is the only councillor under the age of 30 on Brighton and Hove City Council.

Many moons ago, I was the only councillor under 30 on the old Brighton Borough Council. I know it’s extremely hard for a young person to develop a professional career and serve as an elected representative.

At last year’s local election, four young councillors avoided re-election because of the pressures of combining two lives.

A healthy council is one which is diverse, reflecting the profile of its community.

All parties are trying to attract younger candidates.

Coun Phillips has ensured her ward colleagues are covering her duties to her constituents, and other colleagues her committee duties.

She appears to have approached this sabbatical in a mature manner.

We should wish her well.

Andy Winter, London Road, Brighton