It was disappointing but entirely predictable that Liberal Democrat, Steve Lambert chose to start mud slinging and character assassination as a first line of defence for the Liberal Democrats against my decision to move on. I would point out that during my time with the Lib Dems I did serve as their Aylesbury Mayor and their agent, which presumably means they had some confidence in me, and my views!

Yes, I have decided that Liberal Democratic policies are no longer in tune with my own beliefs and opinions and therefore I have decided to join a political Party which is better suited to me. However this was not snap decision and certainly not one I came to lightly. When I made this decision I did not want to enter into a mud slinging competition and at no time in my letter explaining my decision (see www.atlesburyconservatives.com) do I criticise my former colleagues, their work ethos or ethics. It deeply disappoints me that the local Lib Dems felt they needed to stoop to personal attacks and insults. They clearly seek to devalue my motives for leaving them in a bit to cover up some of the deep rooted problems which I have seen in the Party locally, problems which I was unwilling to put up with any longer. Ever since the Conservatives were elected onto the Town Council these inherent faults have become yet more noticeable, as these decisions are now being challenged by them. Internally, they include the rather ungracious attitudes of some of the Lib Dems - attitudes which were shown by their comments last week.

I was accused of 'jumping ship' because the Lib Dems had deselected me, in order to stand for the Conservatives in the next elections. This could not be further from the truth, as it is widely known that I am not considering standing in the County elections next year. I have become disillusioned with the Liberal Democrat Party since the last Town Council and District elections and I was talking to the Conservative Party long before the so called de-selection.

As the Lib Dems approved me as a potential candidate for them in August of this year and were also happy for me to stand in the May 2007 Town and District elections, clearly they are clutching at straws with these accusations. I fear that the rash and harsh words leveled against me were none other than a knee jerk reaction at someone leaving the clan and, dare I say it, actually thinking for themselves, one of the many internal reasons why I chose to leave the Lib Dem Party.

I hope that this has cleared the situation. I would like to reiterate once more that I will continue to serve the people I represent to the best of my abilities until June 2009 and it is clear to me that with the Conservatives I will be able to do this.

Cllr Denise Summers