We congratulate David on this achievement, thank those residents who supported him and are grateful to all those Conservative party supporters who worked so hard to get him re-elected. As ever, David is and always will be happy to meet any residents who need his help and reminds them that his surgery is on Friday afternoons at Iveagh Hall, 67 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1JW. To make an appointment call 01702 472391 between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. on weekdays.

The Southend Borough Council elections gave a further mandate to the Conservative Group under Cllr. Nigel Holdcroft and proved that the many interest groups from all over the town who shouted out that they represented the public were totally deluded. The only complete way to find out what people want is to have an election. That is how we settle such disputes in our country and people who put out cowardly and illegal pamphlets full of lies with no name imprinted on them are in fact trying to subvert the democratic process for their own ends. The electors of Southend West are too civilised and sensible to fall for that.