I AM delighted and honoured to have been re-elected to represent the Thirsk and Malton constituency for another five years and would like to thank all those who voted for me and to those who gave up their time to help me achieve this result, and for all those who manned the polling stations, the returning officer and her excellent team.

Of course the results, as a whole, were desperately disappointing with the loss of 13 Conservative seats and, therefore, our majority. However, we increased our share of the vote to 42.4 per cent (from 36.9 per cent) and remain the biggest party.

With the support of the DUP, Mrs May can lead a Government. Despite clear social policy differences, our two parties have enjoyed a working relationship over many years and this gives us the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interest of the whole United Kingdom without compromising on equal rights for all, regardless of gender, sexuality, race or religion.

We can and must endeavour to deliver the Brexit that the British people voted for just 12 months ago. Quite what shape that Brexit will take has yet to be determined and there is no doubt in my mind that the General Election result has made our negotiating position more difficult.

If politicians have been reminded of one thing over the last few days, it is that we should never take the electorate for granted. I promise you that I will do everything I can to repay your confidence and trust.

I will continue the campaigns I have started for improvements to the A64, greater and fairer funding for our schools, health service and transport infrastructure, the roll out of superfast broadband and improved mobile coverage, support for jobs and businesses across the constituency and for our farming and fishing industries as, together, we seek out new opportunities and a fairer deal for this area in the years ahead.

Kevin Hollinrake MP, Thirsk and Malton constituency

Good track record

I WRITE to thank the voters of the Thirsk and Malton constituency for their support in the General Election.

I really appreciate the many people who looked at the issues, policies, and the person standing to make a positive choice to vote Liberal Democrat.

The result for the Liberal Democrats was disappointing, but we firmly believe that we offer a valid and valuable alternative to Labour and the Tories.

We campaigned on a credible, costed and achievable manifesto, as well as my own track record of constantly working for local people.

Having warned of a coalition of chaos, Theresa May has now formed one of her own, leaving her much diminished government clutching at straws and attempting to cling on to power by making a dodgy deal with the DUP.

The coming months will be critical for the UK, and already we are particularly seeing younger voters betrayed by Labour, which under Jeremy Corbyn is walking hand in hand with the Tories out of Europe, which will leave us all out of pocket and some of us out of work.

Over the past two years the Liberal Democrats have more than tripled our membership in Thirsk and Malton.

I have no doubt that we will continue to grow as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the community and deliver for local people.

Cllr Di Keal, Norton

Focus on fracking

SADLY, as expected Kevin Hollinrake did indeed get re-elected as there are issues other than fracking.

Gullible people, if they know or care about fracking at all, still believe the convincing arguments.

So far, the majority of people have failed to take any real notice of what this industry means.

How many have bothered to read the hundreds of peer reviewed reports on the damage it has caused?

How many have listened to real people who have been affected?

How many people think it will be just a few quiet out of the way discreet little wells?

We “eco terrorists” care about this beautiful area.

We want to protect it, surely you can see that?

And for those who think the fracked gas will give them cheap energy, did you know it goes to make plastic?

Anne Stewart, Helmsley

Living in the past

THEIR manifesto made it quite clear - vote Tory and you will get fracking.

No mention of clean renewable energy, no mention of the devastating effects of climate change. A party truly living in the past.

Glyn Wild, Highfield Terrace, Swinton