Thanks to voters

Your support is hugely appreciated and although the Liberal Democrat vote at the General Election was disappointing, I was delighted to be returned to my district council seat for Norton West.

I fought a determined, truthful and honest campaign based on my track record, which many people appreciated.

The General Election was sadly nothing short of disastrous for the Liberal Democrats and we have lost some fantastic and incredibly long-standing and hard-working MPs, who have made a massive contribution.

I have no doubt that the Liberal Democrats will re-group and rebuild our party and will continue to fight for a fairer society in the UK.

Already as I write more than 6,500 people have joined us since the polls closed on Thursday and we will continue to grow. I have been pleased to receive many offers of help locally and please do get in touch if you would like to help build the Liberal Democrat presence in Thirsk and Malton.

In the meantime I will continue to do what I have always done – represent the people of Norton and wider Ryedale to the best of my ability.

Councillor Di Keal, Ryedale council member for Norton West, Norton town councillor

I WOULD like to thank all those who voted for me in the election for Ryedale District Council.

I was sad not to be re-elected, but actually understand that with all the challenges: Wentworth Street car park, High Malton and fracking, it makes sense to have councillors who are independents and will be free from group leader decisions about how they must vote.

So to the three councillors for Malton, I say I wish you all the best because I know you will work hard for our town and that you will continue to listen to the supposedly moaning minnies of Malton who are actually the business people of Malton.

Ann Hopkinson, Malton Town Council

I would like to congratulate Councillor Robert Wainwright upon my narrow defeat in the Ryedale District Council election for the Hovingham ward.

Robert deserves enormous credit for the stubbornness of his support. He is a real community man.

However, his refusal to support a ban on fracking was clearly ill-judged. On the doorstep, a fracking ban received overwhelming support and I urge Robert to serve all of Hovingham and put his concerns about fracking into action by taking an active role in the Frack Free Ryedale campaign.

Nicholas Burton, Nunnington

NOW that the frenetic activity of recent weeks is past, we can hopefully return to a more normal existence – whatever that may be.

However, I would like to thank all those residents of Norton who supported Ben and myself in the local elections.

It was a great pleasure to meet so many of you and I am personally very grateful for your help which has enabled me to retain my seat on Ryedale District Council.

As Liberal Democrats, we always try to help whenever possible so please feel free to be in touch as and when necessary.

Elizabeth Shields, Norton

Well done Snowy. You took a gamble and it paid off. Helmsley ward now has a new district councillor and you will be able to represent the residents on your home turf. I’m sure your old ward of Sinnington appreciates the work you carried out on their behalf over the past eight years. I’m very proud of you and of your common sense approach.

Jane Windress, Nawton

May I thank all those in the Rillington ward who supported me in the election to Ryedale District Council.

I shall continue to serve in the interests of Rillington ward and Ryedale district. I’m always looking to improve community spirit and I take a keen interest in our natural wild life, environment and the countryside.

So a big thank you to everyone for their confidence and support.

Brian Maud, Rillington

I would like to thank the residents of the Hovingham ward in Ryedale who had confidence in me and gave me their vote on the May 7.

Any decisions I make in my role as councillor of this ward will be taken after due consideration of the facts and be in the best interests of all.

Robert Wainwright, Hovingham ward, Ryedale District Council

Alan Avery and the Thirsk and Malton Constituency Labour Party team would like to thank all those who supported them in running a positive and energetic election campaign, which resulted in an increase of our vote share and lifted Labour into second place.

Jill Knight, Hovingham

Time to change

In the wake of the recent General Election, isn’t it about time the unfair voting system is changed?

We are now a multi-party country, yet due to the first past the post system, a vast proportion of the electorate are not represented.

This anomaly needs addressing very quickly and a fairer system implemented.

Clive Milson, Huttons Ambo