Lib Dems were right to canvass Greens

Pat Marsh (Gazette letters, May 18) criticises the Liberal Democrats for appealing to voters who might have considered voting Green to vote Lib Dem instead in the county elections. While Pat may not have seen many yellow rosettes out and about, our candidate Andrew Palmer organised a dedicated and enthusiastic local team to canvass support, and knocked on hundreds of doors. The responses we received indicated we could increase our vote substantially –which we did.

There was nothing wrong with us writing to identified voters from canvassing, and asking them if they wanted to consider switching their vote. It’s part and parcel of any campaign. And it proved its worth as we were the only party in May that won a seat locally against the Conservatives. Just this morning my wife received a personalised letter from another party asking her to support their general election candidate. I’m still waiting for mine with bated breath!

The local Greens have been vocal in their ideas of a progressive alliance and of left-of-centre candidates standing down to promote that idea. We met with them and talked to them. However, their candidate has branded us as “parochial and deluded”, and we are now accused of playing “dirty tricks”. Perhaps one would understand our reluctance to engage with this idea again in the near future.

I agree with Pat when she says voters need to vote for the party which most closely represents their beliefs. And we are grateful to those who supported us on May 4. Dan Prevett Lib Dem Candidate, Westgate by-election Whitehall Gardens, Canterbury