CAMPAIGNS: Politics isn't everything

I was pleased to read that these problems are finally starting to be tackled after what seems like years of inaction and apathy.

I believe it is no coincidence that this development has only come since campaigning started to regenerate this site and improve our town centre facilities, which currently lie in a less than impressive state.

These campaigns, from what I have seen, were led largely by James Matthewson, who stood as a candidate during last year’s local elections and managed to secure my family’s votes and the votes of nearly 700 other local people.

I wanted to belatedly congratulate him for increasing his party’s vote by over 70 per cent in Alnwick, but firmly believe this is because of his commitment to tackle issues that for too long were ignored in this town, issues which he still seems dedicated to resolving, despite not being elected.

I have written to Mr Matthewson to thank him for his work and I wanted to publicly congratulate him on successfully forcing the hand of Conservative councillors, one of which I also vote for.

The point of mentioning this is that I believe party politics isn’t everything and I am pleased to see a local lad who has worked hard on these campaigns still trying to make a difference, regardless of getting elected or not.

It shouldn’t be about parties, as your reader Mel Shaw made clear (Northumberland Gazette, January 18), it should be about getting stuff done.

In my view, this young man has been saying more and standing up for the interests of the town more in the last 18 months than certain elected officials.

I am pleased that local people and community activists can make a real difference in our town and I look forward to seeing this being a trend going forward.

I would also like to thank Alnwick Town Council, Morrisons and Arriva for the plans they have, which I read of with relief.

Thank you to all involved in making this happen.

Peter David Kairns,

Swordy Drive,

Alnwick