I would like to warmly thank all the people that kept their faith in me and my fellow Lib Dems by voting in Matt Sanders as the new councillor for Haverstock Ward. Matt worked tirelessly for many weeks trying to meet as many people as possible before the

I would like to warmly thank all the people that kept their faith in me and my fellow Lib Dems by voting in Matt Sanders as the new councillor for Haverstock Ward. Matt worked tirelessly for many weeks trying to meet as many people as possible before the election day and just about everyone told me that they were mightily impressed by him.

Matt will prove to be an invaluable asset to this ward. His personality, his knowledge, his ability and downright hard working desire to succeed will make every one of those 1,160 voters proud of their decision. To the lovely lady that thought he was my grandson - I would be exceedingly proud if he was!

Matt and I live very close to each other in the ward so you will see us out and about often, and we look forward to discussing local issues with you, or even just this wonderful summer weather we are having, or the price of chips!

Cllr Jill Fraser

(Lib Dem) Haverstock Ward

The importance of Matt Sanders's victory is not underestimated by any of the parties. There was neither a positive 'Brown bounce' nor a 'Cameron effect'. Quite simply, the people of Haverstock decided to vote for an honest young man who eloquently explained, in a manner devoid of political rhetoric, his genuine desire to work for his community.

Matt is part of a new generation of Lib Dems who understand the need for young people to take a positive role in improving society. I am convinced he will work hard and prove to be a positive influence for the betterment of our community.

David Simmons

Chairman, Holborn and St Pancras Liberal Democrats

Though the Lib Dem candidate, Matt Sanders, finished top with a majority of 160 in the by-election for Camden's Haverstock ward, it strikes me that Labour could easily have won if they had used a bit more common sense.

The Lib Dem victory was no pushover, but a really hard grind. Still, it was obviously helped by Labour's seeking to replace a 51-year veteran and resident councillor with a candidate from well outside the ward. That was just daft.

Labour's candidate, Mike Katz, is a nice enough bloke, no doubt, but living in West Hampstead hardly qualified him as Haverstock's new Roy Shaw. All three other parties managed to find presentable candidates living locally within the ward. Labour failed, and were left struggling from the start. It did not help that Mr Katz then ran a very negative campaign, trying to present the Liberal Democrats as heartless monsters intent on fleecing the poor to line the pockets of the rich. Not very convincing.

Robin Young

Bedford Avenue, WC1