The letter from Lawrence Stack is factually incorrect (‘I only care about local issues’, Your Views, May 8).

Lawrence, who remains a commendable community activist and maybe even the Conservatives may recognise that one day, has been used by the local Labour Party in a tawdry attempt to score points off UKIP and myself in particular.

When Lawrence advised me on February 27 this year that he had received an offer from Richard Butler to join the Labour Party and stand for election for the town council in a safe seat in Brookmeadow, I warned him it was not a winnable seat and that Labour may even have trouble retaining what they had.

I accordingly informed the regional organiser of this conversation and following his meeting with Lawrence, he not me, suspended him from attending any UKIP meetings and activities until he had assured the party in writing that he had refused the offer from Labour.

The UKIP membership of Lawrence expired on April 1, and the rest is the history of a fast-track nomination by Labour on April 9.

The Labour Party would appear to have thrown out their rule book because at one time you required to be clear of membership of another party for a period of 12 months prior to nomination.

Frank Ward

Chairman, Hertsmere UKIP