I WOULD just like to thank all 832 people who voted for me in Pennington on Thursday, May 7.

Sadly, due to what turned into a painful day for the Liberal Democrats, I (along with some of our longest serving councillors) was not successful in being elected to New Forest District Council.

However, there have been many positives during the campaign and I am very much looking forward to the next five years being able to campaign for the people of the New Forest.

I still believe that the New Forest West needs a youthful, liberal voice in local politics, and in Westminster, I am determined that by 2020 – it shall have both.

With membership surging to over 50,000 since polling day and many young and aspiring activists working hard in our area, the Liberal Democrats are far from dead and buried.

In fact, we’re as dedicated as ever to our New Forest.

JACK DAVIES, Pennington.