HOWEVER cynical people might be about politics and politicians, I know just how hard Durham City’s Labour and Liberal Democrat General Election candidates worked, not just over a few weeks, but over many months.

I’m pleased that there was a local swing to the Conservatives and I thank those who voted for me. While my congratulations go to Roberta Blackman-Woods on her re-election as Durham’s MP the result here was really a victory for positive politics.

Voters rejected a Lib Dem campaign which relied on personal attacks and tactical voting and I’m pleased that people saw through it.

Just as the political parties are looking to work together at Westminster in the national interest, I hope that all of Durham’s political parties can now move on and fight positive campaigns based on issues, not personalities.

Thursday’s election result might just have changed Durham’s politics for the better.

Nick Varley, Durham City Conservative Candidate in the recent General Election.

I WOULD like to thank all the people in Durham City and the villages who supported the Liberal Democrats and me in the General Election.

The members and supporters who helped in the campaign did a brilliant job and I am grateful to them, too. To the hundreds of people who wrote, emailed and phoned messages of support during the campaign, thank you as well.

The party leaders’ debates certainly energised the campaign and contributed to the increase in turnout and that must be a good sign for politics in this country.

My thoughts are now with Nick Clegg and his team as they work through the difficult negotiations needed to bring stability to this country.

Carol Woods, Durham City Liberal Democrats.

CD KIRK’S comment that the public requires “political education” for voting out former MP Vera Baird in Redcar (HAS, May 8) appears to question the intelligence of anyone who dares vote for any party other than Labour.

Mr Kirk should take into account that leading up to the election each party’s views were more than adequately put to us via television, newspapers and doorstep leaflets and at the end of the day each individual could make a decision as to which party deserved their support.

Perhaps after 13 years of a Labour government they fancied a change, or the closing of Corus was a local issue, or they took exception to Ms Baird’s expense claims.

But, Mr Kirk, please don’t question the political intelligence of the Redcar electorate – unless, of course, you care to use the argument that as Labour leaves office one out of five school leavers can’t read or write properly.

Good luck to Redcar’s new MP who, I am sure, will be fairly judged by the constituency’s capable and intelligent electorate.

Eric Hoare, Brompton, Northallerton.