It would have been most useful and informative for Valerie Paynter (Letters, October 6) to explain why she appears so delighted about the fact that Mr Ayas Fallon-Khan was not re-selected by the Conservative Party to represent them in the Goldsmid Ward at the forthcoming local elections in May.

I consider such an unsubstantiated statement very offensive. As a Goldsmid Ward resident for nearly 40 years, I was shocked to read Ms Paynter’s letter and I am sure many other local residents will also be very angry at the Conservative Party’s decision. Is the party hellbent on losing its only representative left in our ward?

Putting party political differences aside, over the past few years Mr Fallon-Khan has shown himself to be one of the most hard-working, dedicated, compassionate and efficient councillors we have ever had, who really does listen to his constituents. As a result, his popularity has grown enormously.

Could it be that he has been doing his job too well? A rift may very well exist between the leading members of Brighton and Hove’s Tories, but it is the Goldsmid Ward residents who will pay the price and lose out as a result.

This is a very marginal ward and, although I do not have a crystal ball, I believe Mr Fallon-Khan was more or less guaranteed to be re-elected. His inexplicable replacement will leave a bitter taste in many people’s mouths and may very well cost the Conservative Party this seat.

Nicole Pendlebury
Wilbury Villas, Hove