COUNCILLOR Ian Galletley is desperate to put some positive spin on the Tories' fifth successive defeat in Darlington (HAS, May 9).

He confesses that the Tories only fielded 39 candidates when there are 53 seats. Did they honestly expect voters to take them seriously? What does that tell us? That they couldn't be bothered to find more candidates?

He also tells us that 60 more votes for the Tories would have painted a different picture. Well, 120 more votes for Labour would have seen us lose no seats in Pierremont, Cockerton East and Harrowgate Hill - leaving the Tories with only 14 seats, the same number of seats they had for most of the last four years. It was hardly a breakthrough for them.

What counts is what actually happened, and the residents of Darlington chose Labour.

Councillor John Williams, the council leader, is on record as saying that Labour is determined to hear, and act upon, the message from voters.

Clearly we do have a reduced majority, but nonetheless voters again gave Labour the opportunity to lead Darlington - perhaps because of Labour's good record of progress for Darlington, together with ambition for the future.

Councillor Steve Harker, Darlington Labour Party Election Agent.