I WAS a candidate in the last council elections in the Bradshaw ward and stood as an independent.

Although I didn't win, I increased my share of the vote and finished ahead of the Greens and the Lib Dems.

I wasn't disappointed at not winning, but a few days after the election, I felt a growing feeling of frustration even slight anger about the number of votes the Conservative candidate received. After years of savage cuts to basic public services with the inevitable consequences, how could the "Great British electorate" vote for a party that clearly does not support the need for good public services?

The Tories even took a seat from Labour in Breightmet which is traditional Labour core vote territory.

Theresa May is the worst Prime Minister in living memory.

She only remains in power because of a payment of more than £1 billion to the DUP, a Northern Irish political party, a payment which equates to about £100 million per vote for their 12 MPs and was made without Parliamentary approval.

Local council leaders and other bodies ask for more cash to stay afloat only to be told "there is no magic money tree".

About 12 months ago, the Prime Minister stood up in the House of Commons and praised the bravery and courage of our police officers and fire and rescue service after the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, overlooking the fact that she had made huge cuts to their budgets cutting 10,000 officers, making a potentially very dangerous job even more so.

Yet, despite all this, Labour lost seats in Bolton. How can this be? Because of the state of the Bolton Labour party, that's how.

I'll finish as I started.

The taxpayers want a change from the tired old system, as can be seen with the success of the new, single-issue Farnworth and Kearsley First party.

I am pleased I stood as an independent and gave voters an alternative choice.

I would recommend others who are unhappy with the status quo to do the same and will gladly give help and advice if needed.

Eric Hyland

Harwood