Dear Editor,

AS leader of the Harlow Alliance Party, I would like to thank the hundreds of residents who voted for the Alliance Party last Thursday. This despite the limited resources available to the Party when compared to the two main Parties.

It is quite clear that voters in many Districts across the South and East of England share our concerns about the loss of the Green Belt to developers. This manifested itself in the loss of 16 Conserative seats on East Herts District Council, giving residents hope that the development at Gilston will be stopped in its tracks.

Prior to last weeks election, the Conservative Party in Harlow again made the claim that only a vote for Conservative candidates could stop development to the south west of Harlow. This would have seduced many residents to vote for them. The fact is of course that Councillors in Epping voted through their Local Plan on 6 February, allowing building to take place on hundreds of acres of the Green Belt around Harlow. As development begins residents will come to realise that they were duped, adding to the number who already feel they can no longer trust politicians.

It will also become evident just how little of the Town Centre the Council can regenerate. Land such as the former Square site, Kitson Way car park, Gate House and Market House will still be lying empty.

The Harlow Alliance Party has learnt a lot from this years election campaign and will continue to scrutinise the Conservative Party at the Council’s Cabinet and Full Council meetings.