AS AN interested and enthusiastic proponent of public debate, I volunteered to spend a couple of hours canvassing outside my local supermarket last weekend.

I have stood on that same spot on many previous occasions, raising funds for local groups, charities and other non-political organisations, and never thought I would experience such bigotry in our community.

Our small mixed group was made up of people like myself that have lived in Silsden for many years and are proud to be ‘Cobbydalers’.

We are not political activists, just ordinary folk supporting a mainstream political party, that feel passionately about our schools and hospitals receiving the necessary funding they desperately need – along with issues that affect the wider community – whilst supporting our party’s Parliamentary candidate.

Canvassing is a part of the political process all parties undertake, irrespective of political persuasion.

Most of the people our group encountered were either supportive or politely opposed to our political point of view. There was, however, a small number of people that felt so incensed by our presence, they took it upon themselves to insist the supermarket ask us to move; a somewhat trivial perspective as the public pavement was a mere five feet away.

If that forms the strength of your political argument, and is an example of how you want to shut down political debate and the democratic process, then I for one am glad you are in the minority.

For your information, your intervention only strengthens our desire to continue our support. To that aim, we will be supporting John Grogan during his visit to Silsden Town Hall on Saturday afternoon, when he will be on hand to discuss any concerns people have.

I would lastly like to apologise to the young lady who came over from Keighley to join the group, who was visibly shocked at such bitterness and hostility, and reassure her that most of the people who live in our town do not share such a petty, prejudiced mindset.

DAVID LOUD (Labour Party member) Windgate, Silsden