UNFORTUNATELY my own attempt at winning election to Durham County Council fell short this time, but at least before, during and after the count my opponent and I had a few words, shared a joke when it was looking very close, and exchanged a handshake.

I wished him well for his term in office.

To most of you reading this, you’ll think “what’s so special about this?” and, of course, you should be right.

I observed this normal behaviour was not reflected in a number of other seats.

I witnessed three occasions where candidates offered handshakes which were refused or simply did not offer them at all.

Amazingly, it was the winning candidate who refused the handshake. How dare someone stand against them and have the audacity to nearly win?

I am sure the general public expects their candidates to be civil, showing dignity in victory and in defeat.

If these instances were reported in the press, it would prompt better behaviour.

But it should not need prompting, it should be automatic.

If cage fighters can batter each other to a pulp and embrace afterwards, a mere handshake from politicians after a ballot isn’t much to ask, is it?

Malcolm Clarke, Consett.