Thanks for help and cups of tea

in pyjamas’ quote shows his clear contempt for the student population) and complain that “a third of the students will leave this summer and a lot of them will never visit Canterbury again” why is he not complaining about a candidate who doesn’t even live in the county, let alone the city where the vote took place?

Trueman Close, Blean

■ I found it interesting that some contributors in last week’s Gazette were advocating changes to the electoral registration which would disperse and potentially dilute the impact of young student voters. Canterbury’s economy benefits greatly from its student population. Many students are increasingly from local families and many graduates remain in our area following graduation.

The real issue is for us oldies is to recognise that our votes impact on their futures.

A pre-election analysis of voting intentions showed Labour support at 71% for 18 to 24-year-olds and 59% of 25-34 year olds. Among my age group of 65+, the Conservative support rose to 64% and as such we seem to be skewing outcomes on the basis of old age. Clearly we are all entitled to express our views as individuals whatever our age, but let’s encourage more youngsters to vote rather than trying to silence their voices.

David Le Breton

Wickhambreaux

It was a huge honour to be the Conservative candidate for Canterbury, Whitstable and the villages and I would like to thank the 27,200 people who placed their faith in me and voted Conservative in the general election.

I am very sorry that despite achieving the highest Conservative vote for almost 30 years, we were not able to celebrate a historic local, as well as a national, victory. Rest assured, however, that your support has laid the foundations for many more Conservative victories in Canterbury and Whitstable over the coming years.

To the many volunteers, party members, my campaign manager and local councillors who campaigned alongside me in the cold, wet and dark, my heartfelt thanks.

Your hard work, tireless support, kind words and many, much-needed cups of tea, was incredible and invaluable.

I was fortunate and blessed to have had such a wonderful team headed up by a fantastic agent. Nobody could have done more and I am very proud of the campaign you helped me run.

To the many businesses, schools, community groups, churches and organisations that I met and worked with, I wish you all the very best for the future.

Your inspirational efforts keep the community thriving and moving forward.

In particular, the campaign for a new, fully-functioning hospital for Canterbury, better acute mental health services, a new eastern by-pass road to relieve congestion, more police officers and additional protection for the Wincheap water meadows, must continue.

In the meantime, best wishes for a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Rejoice in the knowledge that with a strong, Conservative, majority Government, 2020 will be a year of renewed investment, prosperity and opportunity for Britain. Conservative candidate for Canterbury, Whitstable and the villages

So now that we can stop dreaming of a white Christmas let’s start to dream of an all right New Year instead. The new government appears keen to slam the door on austerity and has laid down a welcome mat for a better future for all. We’ll see. Meanwhile, here are some of my hopes.

■ At last the poisonous debate over Brexit dies down but we don’t walk away until we get a solid trade deal. An impatient exit will cost jobs and re-ignite simmering anxiety.

■ Trust is paramount, but badly bruised.

Drastic steps are taken to restore public faith in democracy. Politicians caught lying are forced to make public apologies.

Two hits and they fight a by-election.

■ Only promises that can be kept are made by the transformed government.

Ice-cold reality tempers voteseeking claims about more nurses, doctors, teachers, police and prison officers.

Money can’t buy what doesn’t exist. And how can more criminals be sent to prison when the prison service is failing so badly?

■ Ego-driven politicians stop tinkering.

‘How can more criminals be sent to prison when the prison service is failing so badly?’

Yes, budget cuts have caused immense damage.

So have those know-all politicians who force through changes that do more harm than good. Universal credit, for instance.

Perhaps the integration of six benefits into one package made theoretical sense.

In practice, it was a disaster. The government, that has promised to address the difficulties, realises that such a bland prescription will not stop the agony being suffered by the most vulnerable.

■ Then there’s housing, homelessness, food banks, tax dodgers, con tricks and media tricks. The list barely scratches the surface of wrongs that need putting right and it will take a great many years to do so.

Happy New Year? Let’s all hope it very much is.