“Colin the Tory man”

14 Duncombe Street

Wollaston

Stourbridge

DY8 3QU

31st May 2012

"Viewpoint"

The Editor

"Stourbridge News"

Dear Sir,

My attention has been drawn to an article about the Norton ward by-election - "Colin the Tory man" - in your issue of 24th May. The article suggests that Norton ward is "among the safest in the borough for the Conservative Party". That may be so. But I'm not so sure. Perhaps some people are forgetting that they shouldn't count their chickens before they're hatched; and that it's not over till the fat lady sings!

There are six candidates trying to win the seat, and it's the voters who will decide. As recently as 2000, Norton ward had three Liberal Democrat councillors, and I myself was a Liberal Democrat councillor for Norton ward for nine years, from 1995 to 2004. May the best man win! (I think all the candidates are men - apologies if this is not so.)

By the way, people are sometimes surprised to find that Norton ward includes not only Norton itself, but also some parts of Wollaston, Oldswinford and Pedmore. Voting is on Thursday 21st June.

Chris Bramall

Liberal Democrat candidate, Norton ward