Please just get out and vote

At the last elections for Bearsted Parish Council, I and the majority of the other councillors were ousted by a grouping of candidates under the banner ‘Best for Bearsted.’

I have no problem with the result – it was democracy in action.

I am, however, concerned that since then a number of replacement and additional councillors have been appointed by co-opting because no one has stood for election.

I believe this is a waste of our democratic rights and can leave councils open to the charge of cronyism - appointing councillors who will not rock the boat or ask awkward questions.

Because of this I have obtained the nominations required to call for the election of at least one councillor.

Unless I am unopposed the election will be held on Thursday, April 12.

Since I am not flavour of the month with certain councillors they may well try to get a candidate to oppose me to prevent someone they may perceive as a troublemaker from getting on the council. If there is an election I am not pleading with the electorate to vote for me if they think the council is doing a wonderful job. All I would ask is that they actually vote. This way, then at least the new councillor, whoever he or she is, can say they were actually elected and not appointed by committee. Tony Grieve via email