I AM writing in response to letters written by Di Clements and published in your newspaper, most recently on October 22, concerning the local connections of the prospective Conservative candidate Simon Hart.

In that letter, Di Clements does not mention Mr Hart's local connection as master of the South Pembrokeshire Hunt for 10 years.

This is a significant omission as it tells the voters a good deal about Mr Hart's interests and policies.

In an earlier letter, Di Clements referred to a meeting some months ago with "animal rights activists".

I was at that meeting and can assure you I am no animal rights activist.

Like others at that meeting, I was there because the electoral material circulated by Mr Hart made no mention of his current position as chief executive to the Countryside Alliance, an organisation which, whatever laudable activities it has since added to its remit , was founded to fight the Hunting Act 2004 (which protects wildlife).

At that meeting, Mr Hart chose not to mention that he had been the master of a local hunt for some years, a very surprising omission given he was being asked what effect his position in the Countryside Alliance would have on his policies if elected.

It may well be that Mr Hart would take an interest in other issues if elected, but given his 10 years as hunt master, and his current job, the repeal of the Hunting Act will clearly be a principal initiative.

His failure to mention either his 10 years as hunt master, or his current position in the Countryside Alliance, is a failure to put his cards honestly and clearly on the table, so the electorate know what they might be voting for.

John Major

Address supplied