I WAS present at the same meeting as Stephen Bath at which Christchurch Conservatives overwhelmingly adopted Sir Christopher Chope as their General Election candidate.

It is ironic that Stephen criticises Chris for having supported 84 per cent of the residents of Christchurch who voted in a local referendum to keep Christchurch independent.

Despite being an active campaigner in that referendum, Stephen has never accepted the democratic result.

Delivering the result of the EU referendum is at the heart of the Conservative General Election campaign.

But at the adoption meeting it was apparent that Chris was also being criticised for supporting the 60 per cent of his electors who voted Leave.

So much for respecting democracy.

DENISE JONES

Councillor for the Grange Ward

Christchurch Borough Council 2007-2019