UKIP members have received complaints and adverse comments from members of the public regarding the press revelation that the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party Oliver Dowden attended Hertswood Academy to promote his election campaign (“Pupils put parliamentary candidate on the spot”, Borehamwood & Elstree Times, March 6).

This would appear to demonstrate a prejudice within the academy or the education system in favour of the political ideology held by the Conservative Party.

The students of the academy require to be afforded the opportunity of access to all candidates who are standing for the parliamentary seat of Hertsmere.

They may also require to receive guidance in understanding the need for party political equality and impartiality, if only out of respect and gratitude to those taxpayers within Hertsmere who assist in funding their education and may not share their apparent preference or that of the school/academy’s administrators for the Conservative Party.

Frank Ward

Chairman and prospective parliamentary candidate Hertsmere UKIP