SIR - As we approach the General Election – which I consider to be the most important General Election in recent times – I want to assure the other candidates in the Shipley constituency that I will not be making any personal attacks or campaign negatively about them as part of my General Election campaign.

I think that election candidates should set out a positive case for why they should be elected, and attacks on other candidates is part of the reason people are disillusioned with politics.

At the previous two General Elections I had hard-fought but civilised campaigns with all other candidates and I hope I can expect the same again this time round.

I fear that this will be the dirtiest General Election in many years, and I therefore hope all my fellow candidates in Shipley will make a pledge to set out a positive case for why they should be the local MP and not indulge in personal attacks on other candidates. That is my pledge and I hope the others will quickly follow suit.

Philip Davies MP, Salts Mill Road, Shipley