Malice or accident, please take back those comments
HAZEL Thorpe and her election agent Robert Smytherman are politely asked to withdraw the mistaken (if in error) or malicious (if deliberate) statement given to the Worthing Herald that at the election count the re-elected MP said "he wouldn't work with the Liberal Democrats".
The chief executive, as acting returning officer, the Worthing Herald, with its live coverage, and everyone else present heard me say that I would find it difficult to vote for a changed electoral system that gave a permanent place for the BNP in Parliament or a near permanent place in government to the Lib Dems.
That could be the result of one type of electoral change, the Single Transferable Vote.
I will vote in Parliament for the proposal to let the electorate decide if they want the Alternative Vote, a system without those disadvantages.
The Lib Dems, as partners in the coalition, will do the same.
Having had to correct a mis-statement about me during the campaign by the local Lib Dems' leader, also an unsuccessful candidate in the East Worthing constituency, might we agree that in the old saying if they stop saying things that are not correct about me, I shall not need to say things that are true about them?
In that way, we might each contribute locally for the common good?
Peter Bottomley
MP for Worthing West
Mr Bottomley's election night words, which can be viewed at www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing-elections, were: "I shall never willingly support a system which will give a permanent place to the BNP or a permanent place to the Liberals. That is not the sort of government or politics I want."
NOTE: All letters must include a name and address.
Write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA, or email the Herald.
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Weather for Worthing
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 3 C
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Wind direction: South east
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