I WAS surprised that Stephen Hunter was so gutted that Liberal Democrat MP for 13 years Dr Evan Harris was not re-elected for the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency (Oxford Mail, May 12).

Dr Harris lost fairly and squarely to Conservative Nicola Blackwood, and what a lovely result that was. She is young, talented and will bring fresh ideas to parliament. Evan Harris’ record for voting wasn’t one to be proud of. He brought in clauses to Bills that would affect the most vulnerable of our society – the unborn child, and the very frail and elderly.

At the start of his career, he swore the Hippocratic Oath to protect life. Yet his record of voting said the exact opposite.

To say that Ms Blackwood’s campaign was backed by anti-intellectuals, anti-atheists and anti-science groups is an insult to the voters who voted for her.

I do, however, hope that Mr Hunter keeps his enthusiasm for future elections, as that is most refreshing to see in the younger generation. I also hope he studies the records of the elected candidates. It says an awful lot about them.

On another subject, may I congratulate all the photographers who take such beautiful photos of our countryside and wildlife for your letters pages. I would advise them to enter the BBC’s Countryfile competition as I am sure some of them would win.

Rosemary Waters, The Willows, Culham, Abingdon