A YORK teacher has written an open letter to the candidates fighting for his vote, asking about their values.

 Pete Dring, 30, lives in Tang Hall and is a computer science and creative media teacher at the Manor Academy in York.

He wrote the letter in February, to outline his frustration on important issues and to find out what were the motivations of York Central’s candidates.

Mr Dring said: “I wanted to get behind the blurb of party manifestos and vote for somebody I can trust. As citizens, we only have one chance in five years to vote for the people who are going to make decisions day in and day out. Hopefully, this letter can be a way to start the debate on what is best for our region.

“I want people in York Central to understand who we are waiting for, that is representatives who are interested in York."

Mr Dring explained he was still undecided at the way in which he will vote on May 7, but the candidates’ responses have helped him to form a better idea of the choice that lies in front of him.

“I am only going to vote for somebody who is going to make the effort to reply,” he added.

His letter encourages voters to fill in the short survey for each of the key issues he has outlined in order to better inform the debate less than a week from the election.

Mr Dring is posting the responses from the candidates online as well.

Candidates in York Central are Ken Guest, UKIP; Nick Love, Liberal Democrat; Rachael Maskell, Labour; Robert McIlveen, Conservative; Megan Ollerhead, TUSC; Jonathan Tyler, Green; and Chris Whitwood, Yorkshire First.