I FOUND the Risca East by-election quite sad and pathetic. The local Labour group was promoting Philippa Leonard because she lives within the ward and seemed to try to discourage people from voting for a challenging candidate because that person lives in Pontymister which is in the Risca west ward. So, when it comes to the next elections for the MP for Islwyn, if Chris Evans stands, I shouldn’t vote for him because he’s not from Islwyn. Let’s just remember who really won the day in the Risca East by-election - apathy and no confidence by a massive 74 per cent!

Michael West, Machen Close, Pontymister