A recent letter in The Argus (March 4) stating that, in the correspondent’s view, many local councillors are self-serving is, unfortunately, a view held by many.

I can only say, for myself, however, that recently being selected as one of the Labour candidates for North Portslade for the 2015 local elections was one of the proudest moments of my life.

The idea of giving service to your local community may seem old-fashioned but when you speak to people like Les Hamilton and Bob Carden and their more recent councillor colleagues, Penny Gilbey and Alan Robins, you realise that this idea is still alive and well. Whether it’s pedestrian crossings, bus shelters or access to housing, these councillors have made a genuine difference in their local communities.

I realise there are also the wider, more strategic issues that need to be grappled with – such as the council tax rise – but when you meet the local councillors mentioned above you realise how much they care about the people and the areas they represent and how important it is that we keep this form of local democracy in place for future generations.

Peter Atkinson, Labour candidate for North Portslade