I have seen with interest the growing Take Back Parliament demonstrations in London, with people dressed in purple, protesting at the way the political system disadvantages them in Parliament.

However, it is not just in Parliament large numbers of people are left out of the decision-making process.

After the election, there are 94 per cent of the electorate on Canvey who have no one to represent them on Castle Point Council’s Conservative cabinet.

I recall David Cameron telling us if we voted for a Conservative government, we would have a fairer Britain, where if we did not like our MP we could sack him.

Having been unhappy about the unfairness of the way our council system works, I started a petition, in line with legislation, seeking a referendum for an elected mayor to replace our present council leader and cabinet system.

For this legal protest, David Marchant, chief executive of the Conservative- run council, saw fit to ban me from attending the election count. I had been asked by a councillor to act as a teller.

Mr Marchant has never met me. He has not acknowledged, let alone answered, a single letter or e-mail I have sent him starting from February 12 when I first wrote to him about the paddling pool on Canvey.

I have never disrupted a council meeting, nor have I caused a disturbance anywhere with my petition.

I have not received any communication from Mr Marchant about his banning order.

I have been told he was concerned the national press might have attended the count and he did not want me talking to them.

What is Mr Marchant afraid of ?

Colin Letchford
Maurice Road
Canvey