• I WAS saddened to read that former Conservative candidate for Gospel Oak, Marx de Morais, had felt so compromised by his party’s stance on Brexit that he chose not to stand for them in this May’s local elections (The Tory party must change, and I am stepping down as a candidate, February 15).

I have spoken to many people of all political affiliations who agree his decision has shown him to be a person of integrity and principle who rightly believes leaving the EU is indeed a local election issue in a borough that is a beacon of integration in an open Britain.

In contrast the Camden Conservatives appear to have cynically brushed the issue of Brexit under the carpet in the hope that people will hold their noses on the subject and vote for them anyway.

I think they have tragically misread the zeitgeist and are treading a dangerous electoral path by creating an atmosphere in which a committed, hard-working candidate felt obliged to vacate his run to be a councillor.

It is true that issues such as housing, education, environment, health and others are primary factors in elections in Camden.

However this borough is home to many EU and other migrants who contribute massively to our economy, diversity and culture. To summarily discount their views and needs is not only dismissive but it is also political suicide.

The result of the EU Referendum in Camden were 71,295 Remain to 23,838 Leave. This shows that we are, for the most part, an inclusive, welcoming and positive borough that could be further improved by all political parties recognising that Brexit is a very important issue on the doorstep in the run up to May 3.

PHIL COWAN
Albert Terrace, NW1