• IT is interesting to see that in the forthcoming Hampstead by-election on July 7 the Conservatives are again calling themselves the Local Conservatives.

I believe it’s a national trend for the Tories to try to dissociate themselves from the national party because they are so ashamed of it and its leadership. And well they should be.

Being local in this by-election means Hampstead, but I’m not at all sure that Hampstead would want to be associated with their values either.

Hampstead has a tradition of fairness, freedom and justice. What the current Conservative government is doing is shameful; deporting refugees to Rwanda, despite loud voices including the Border Agency staff saying it’s inhumane; and breaching international law by unilaterally overturning the protocol on Northern Ireland when the PM himself negotiated that agreement.

Also beware of the by-election candidate who clearly states his aim is to have no more refugees.

All this totally goes against the grain of Hampstead character, whose people have a history of welcoming refugees, and deep respect for justice and human rights.

We also resist any form of populism; we fight for our beliefs; everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and kindness.

Government, whether national or local, should respect those ideals.

LINDA CHUNG
Liberal Democrat Candidate for Hampstead Town ward