I think that might have been why her previous letter was thought to be ignoble by so many.

Well done, Linda Arkley! Well done, well done, go on give it a try!

However, the assertion that the election result was a reflection of national politics misses the point entirely - local people knew they were voting for a local politician to solve local problems.

If the Labour council had served us well, they would still be in power.

If politicians want to continue with class warfare, they should do it in their own time and not on behalf of the ratepayer.

The Conservatives have a chance at last to prove themselves and I am sure they know that they will be 'out' if they are not up to the job.

I predict though that the next few months will begin to reveal the financial horror story that is the Labour legacy and it will be some job to put it right.

Despite the scorched earth legacy we can begin to feel optimistic that in time Linda Arkley and her team can begin to rebuild North Tyneside, restore the coast and put a little bit of pride into our borough again after decades of neglect.

A robust opposition is indeed desirable and I would hope that Labour will meet the challenge, but in my mind Muriel Green, former minister for sunshine, is not the one to provide it.

Finally, though I disagreed wholeheartedly with much of what John Harrison did or didn't do for North Tyneside, I believe him to be a decent, honourable man who tried hard to be a good Mayor for North Tyneside and for that I thank him.

MARK HOLMES
Tynemouth.

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