Defeat is never easy to take in whatever walk of life it may come and I can’t pretend that losing my seat on Lancashire County Council has been either an easy or a pleasant experience.

I didn’t just lose my seat. I also lost my job and for the first time in over 30 years have found myself unemployed and signing on.

My purpose in writing is not to winge, because like everyone else who finds they are unemployed, I’ve got to get on with it and get myself off the dole and back into a job as soon as possible.

Rather my purpose is to thank everyone in my former seat of Padiham and Burnley West who has written, phoned, emailed or just stopped me in the street.

I really am deeply touched by the kind messages of support and solidarity I have received at what has been a truly horrible time.

Thank you to all of you. You know who you are!

Marcus Johnstone Hunters Drive, Burnley