AN ALIEN on an earthbound assignment to cover the aftermath of the recent election would, on picking up the Stroud News & Journal have to accede to the beamed up messages that have reached his planet over the last several weeks that the wicked Tories have fought a dirty campaign and fixed the results in their (Tories) favour.

The apologists for democracy and the doubting Thomases have made a beeline to the letters page discrediting Mr Carmichael and showing astonishing contempt for voters.

It would seem the voters got it completely wrong, for didn’t the pundits forecast a hung Parliament?

The SNJ headlined a day before the election that David Drew and Neil Carmichael were neck and neck in the race to Westminster: how did they get it so wrong?

For those on the letters page who are still whinging at the ousting of David Drew may be interested in knowing that (A) David Drew, despite a plethora of huge placards paid for by Dale Vince, lost the election because he failed to gain enough support from the people of Stroud, simple a that, and (B) Carmichael won with the help of Ukip’s supporters tactical voting who, swayed by negative forecasting and fearful that Drew may return to power, many voted for the Tory.

Despite this Caroline Stephens took third place for Ukip sending the Lib Dems packing so our alien reporter can return to his planet in the safe knowledge that despite those that scoff at it, democracy still rules.

B Coates

Rodborough