Sir, – Now the election is over it is the time to thank all those who have made this important event possible.

For the local councils and their staff; for the polling officials and vote counters; for the candidates and their volunteer supporters for making these contests possible. We should thank the political parties, who without public money, give us choices and for the local press who give us the opportunity to voice our opinions.

I want especially to thank the candidates and supporters of the Thirsk and Malton constituency who advanced spirited arguments at local hustings, and especially to Alan Avery and his election team, who against all the odds, provided an attractive alternative to the status quo.

But above all thank you for democracy which will give us a chance to hold the winners to account for their promises and predictions. The role of opposition is to keep those in power honest, and I hope we can all trust the Darlington & Stockton Times to provide the forum for this to be possible

Dr JOHN R GIBBINS

Sowerby, Thirsk.