Sir, – The editor’s note to the letter from Margaret Whitehead (D&S Times, March 27) demonstrated breath taking arrogance in proclaiming that the reason Mr Sunak was accorded a full-page feature was due to the fact 'as the Tory candidate he is favourite to succeed William Hague in one of the safest Conservative seats in the UK'.

It is the electors of Richmondshire who will decide the result, not the editor of the Darlington & Stockton Times, a paper which does precious little to add any gravitas to political debate in the areas covered by its circulation. I would be extremely surprised if there is any mention in this paper of William Hague’s ignominious final day in the House of Commons when he took a leading role in the plot to start the ousting of the speaker of the house, John Bercow. MPs from all side described his action as 'grubby, squalid and nauseous'.

The D&S had a real opportunity to open a frank debate about the merits of an external candidate being shoe-horned into a safe seat when there are plenty of good local candidates who could represent the electorate. Full credit to John Blackie who has risen to the challenge and who is standing as an independent and shame on you D&S for treating the electorate with such disdain.

IAN WOODS

Thornton le Moor, Northallerton.