• SINCE the referendum in 2016 I’m sure I am not alone in being fascinated by the machinations and discomfort of our local politicians on how they attempt to square the ever-decreasing circle of how to attract voters who may have tribal affiliations but feel cast aside on the issue of Brexit.

Many people I speak to are deeply conflicted about how they should cast their votes in the elections on May 3. This ballot is primarily and rightfully viewed as a chance to elect good councillors but it is inevitably going to be used as an opportunity to send a message to the dominant parties regarding our departure from the EU.

The ward of Frognal and Fitzjohns demonstrates among the most interesting examples of possible friction between candidates and the electorate on the issue of Brexit versus local politics.

The ward returned the highest vote to remain in the entire UK yet the Camden Conservatives have fielded a candidate, Henry Newman, who campaigned most vociferously to leave the EU.

Mr Newman has gone on record saying: “Staying in the EU Customs Union after Brexit would be disastrous for Britain” and “The UK and EU don’t need a Customs Union”.

Mr Newman is welcome to his opinions but I find it very strange that a former special adviser to Brexiteer-in-chief Michael Gove was selected to run for office in a ward so demonstrably in favour of remaining in the EU.

I can only conclude that the Camden Conservatives have thrown in the towel by putting forward a candidate whose views are so directly and emphatically opposed by the electorate in Frognal and Fitzjohns.

The Labour candidates in this ward are equally compromised and they appear to be sensibly keeping quiet about Brexit on the doorstep. Such a strategy is doomed to failure in an area where people should and will rightfully demand answers from candidates about this most important issue.

Thankfully there is some light at the end of the tunnel for voters in Frognal and Fitzjohns in the guise of Marx de Morais and his other independent colleagues in The Movement who have set out an honest, straightforward, stance on Brexit and a raft of local issues that provides a breath of fresh air in an otherwise cynical vision of years going down the same old road of mainstream party politics.

PHIL COWAN
Albert Terrace, NW1