DEREK Borthwick might try here to put a gloss on his defection to the Conservative Group on Bournemouth Council.

His endless excuse for his betrayal is that we were supporting Labour’s Ben Grower as the opposition spokesperson. What total rot he talks; we have no official opposition spokesperson, only the three separate group leaders.

He then makes reference to my support for the three former Kinson members, and, yes, I was more than happy to do so.

What he fails to tell readers was that one Independent candidate decided to stand in Kinson just before nominations had closed.

By then I had already pledged my support to the sitting councillors.

My colleague Anne Rey and I did no canvassing there. My support was that I said in the leaflet “that I take this opportunity in thanking all three of you over many years”.

Some might ask why I am offering my support when I am an Independent member.

Having been a councillor for 40 years, the most important aspect of a councillor’s work is to work together regardless of political party labels.

That is why, when I vote, it is for the candidates and not the party label.

I continue to thank the members at Kinson for working together on issues affecting both our patches on the green belt and many more – hence my support as a Kinson resident.

Derek Borthwick again misleads by saying that in Redhill/Northbourne the Independent lost by 162 to the Liberal Democrats. Not so. The Independent lost to the other two Conservatives. He really is just clutching at straws to justify his decision.

What is extremely annoying is that Derek Borthwick never had the bottle when leaving the count with me on Friday May 6 to tell me what he had planned. Up until today I have not heard from him.

CLLR RON WHITTAKER, Glenmeadows Drive, Kinson