THE disparaging imputations of your correspondent Chris White’s letter (Readers’ Times, November 18) are that turnout in the recent St Nicholas ward by-election was low and therefore unrepresentative, and that the newly-formed political party which won (It’s Our County) is a front for something slightly sinister.

On the first point, let me assure Mr White that no less a truly impartial authority than the returning officer commented that the 24.9 per cent turnout was extremely impressive for a local by-election.

As to who is “really behind” It’s Our County and, perhaps more importantly, what it represents, let me assure him that there are no mysterious and anonymous big backers pulling our strings, unlike all the big national parties.

Formed out of the country-wide It’s Our City campaign, which collected more than 10,000 signatures in 12 weeks opposing the retail development of the city’s old livestock market site, It’s Our County is already establishing itself as the only true voice for local people to express their views on crucial local issues, such as the ruling administration’s manic expansion of the county’s housing stock over the next two decades, or the building of a relief road which, by the admission of one of its own senior transport planners, will bring no relief whatsoever to the city’s traffic congestion.

CHARLES NICHOLLS, Secretary, It's Our County.