I NOTE that Middlewich First announced in last week’s Guardian that it will not be contesting the Middlewich Cledford by-election due to be held on May 10.

This leaves open the question of who called this by-election, putting the town council to a potential cost of many thousands of pounds.

This is especially so with all out elections next year when the electorate will have the opportunity to choose their councillors at both town and borough for the next four years.

Middlewich Liberal Democrats have therefore decided to follow suit, hoping by so doing to avoid incurring the cost of holding the by-election for the town council.

I do feel that these by-elections should be funded centrally so that democracy can be furthered without the deterrent of these costs.

We are happy that the vacant councillor post is filled by co-option for the 12 months until a full set of elections occurs.

Dr Peter Hirst Chair of Congleton Liberal Democrats