Camden councillor Danny Beales

• I WAS frankly disappointed by the CNJ’s portrayal of the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election outcome: “Danny blasts pollution policy after shock by-election disaster,” screamed the headline.

Disaster? What disaster? How many reading the article would have picked up that Labour’s very successful campaign actually increased our vote on a scale (up 5.9 percentage points) that would usually be enough to win a by-election?

Danny Beales campaigned in this true-blue slice of suburbia which had voted Tory at every election for the last 53 years. This in a seat that Labour had never previously held. Yes, the Conservatives scraped in by just 495 votes, but Labour slashed the previous majority of 7,210. So please: no talk of a disaster!

As for the predictions in the newspapers and by bookies, I went to campaign in Uxbridge on several occasions. Never once did I hear any premature celebrations. All activists and organisers expressed was a determination to continue working hard and not to be complacent.

Was ULEZ a factor? Of course, it was. Or, to be more accurate, the ghost of ULEZ, which was whipped up to a frenzy by the Tories and a host of other marginal parties. While I am sure we should reconsider the issue I am also sure that Labour should not drift away from its green agenda. This is essential, not just for Britain, but for global warming, which Labour (and Camden Council) has rightly recognised as an emergency.

Finally I would like to ask the small-minded, petty sneerers who derided Danny for his efforts, to look in the mirror. Is this really how we regard Camden people who “give it a go” by standing for office? Danny wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Far from it. He has made good by competence, energy and intelligence.

I see that Siân Berry, a Green Camden councillor, is planning to stand for Brighton Pavilion. As a Labour member I will, of course, do what I can to ensure that she is not successful. But I applaud her decision to take the plunge.

Camden is a diverse and welcoming borough and anyone who makes the tough choice to fight for their political convictions is doing our democracy a service.

Far from sloping back to Camden “with his tail between his legs” as J Wilson suggested, Danny can hold his head high.

When you have had a brief rest, Danny, I look forward to seeing you back on Camden Council, doing what you do best: representing local interests and fighting for a better future for us all!

MARTIN PLAUT, NW5