JUDGING from the coordinated howls of protest from UKIP members, my letter the other week seems to have struck a nerve.

Firstly, I am accused by Cllr. Richard Leppington of, "descending into the gutter," by deciding to "dredge up something that happened to Cllr Preest at a low point in his life."

I am also advised by Cathy Hawkins that, "people in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones".

Cathy, people who opt for a public life by seeking election can expect their public conduct to be examined. Mine certainly was when I was prosecuted for an alleged assault over a decade ago. After a full court hearing I was found not guilty.

While the prosecution was pending, I declined to defend my district council seat in an election only returning to public life once my innocence had been confirmed.

I am more than happy for people to compare my conduct with that of Cllr Alan Preest while he was a Conservative county councillor and a member of the police authority.

By describing Cllr Preest's conduct as, "something that happened to him," Richard Leppington should be awarded a masters' degree in Orwellian Newspeak.

Now my turn to apologise: by claiming that all three UKIP county councillors left the last county council meeting at mid-day, I was guilty of loose use of the English language.

They did, in fact, leave shortly after 1 pm However, my main point was that they did not stay for the afternoon session where domestic violence was debated.

Cllr Leppington's bland comments condemning all violence show that he totally missed the point of the debate.

The pernicious aspect of domestic violence is that it takes place within the family and home. As such, it is so difficult to counter as the abused can only bring the abuse to light by reporting members of their own family or household.

Finally, UKIP's parachuted candidate Steve Stanbury has shown his true colours in this season of goodwill. What is his priority as the aspiring MP for the Forest of Dean? Local employment? Improved access to health services? Improved transport links or educational opportunities?

No, none of these, it as a 75 per cent cut in Britain's foreign aid budget.

UKIP may be a refuge for the xenophobic, harrumphing tendency within the Conservative Party but it has nothing to offer to working women and men other than easy populist finger-jabbing – blame directed mostly at Johnny Foreigner.

– Cllr Bruce Hogan (Lab), Forest of Dean District Council, Lydbrook and Ruardean.