JOHN Fletcher (Letters; BFP March 8 2013, headline “All major parties need a kicking over HS2”) can’t have it both ways. In a democracy, unless any or all of the major parties put up candidates at elections, there’ll otherwise be no opportunity for voters to deliver their verdict.

All that Seb Berry has achieved by becoming an independent over the HS2 issue is to disenfranchise local Lib Dem supporters by denying them a chance to vote for their own party. Rather than resigning party membership, it takes far greater courage for candidates to take a strong stance and campaign actively against national party policy.

As John Fletcher accepts, many local Conservatives, not least Martin Tett, have shown such courage in working tirelessly against HS2 from within the party. Sonia Brock clearly impressed upon Conservative Party Vice Chairman, Bob Neill MP, the overwhelming strength of local feeling against HS2, so much so, that he actually came to Great Missenden to hear for himself the concerns of local residents.

He returned to Westminster with a very robust message about the strength of passions against the incredible damage that HS2 will inflict on the environment and local communities. And, more to the point, the unnecessary, self-inflicted harm to the overall standing of the Conservative Party in the mind of the electorate.

Whilst continuing the fight against HS2, our councils must also carry on delivering cost-effective services that are necessary for the well-being of the community. All of which requires candidates, with the courage to stand for election on all issues, to ensure that hard-working, community-spirited local councillors are elected.

Steve Hayes, Kingfisher Close, Prestwood