I have been a councillor for 20 years, both as an employee commuting to London and as a retired man.

Ideally the council should act as a cross-section of the community, reflecting the different age groups and interests. In reality, life is not as simple as that.

I am not surprised a younger councillor is standing down to pursue his chosen career.

Council work usually interferes with a career and may even lose you money. It involves long hours and puts a strain on family life.

-Councillor Francis Tonks, Brighton