FURTHER to The Northern Echo’s story “Mayoral candidate pulls out of race” (March, 25).

l was only slightly surprised to hear that John Tait, the North East Party candidate for the Tees Valley mayoral election on May 4, has pulled out of the election.

The reason given is the £5,000 deposit required to stand (returnable if he achieves five per cent of the votes cast) which is ten times more than the £500 deposit required to stand for a Member of Parliament.

We should also remember that the North East Party is contesting a dozen Durham County Council seats this May.

I agree that this looks like a stitch up by the political cabals to keep out less well established political elements.

I can understand why any independent candidates are reluctant to put up for the Tees mayor. Not only is a £5,000 deposit required, but money for leaflets and a team of people to cover five council areas, from Redcar and Cleveland to Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington and Hartlepool is a big ask.

Hence we look very likely just to have the four major political parties to choose from come May 4.

More of the same is not good for local democracy, is it?

George Dunning, Ormesby