SIR,
Some Conservatives now call themselves 'independents' but are not exonerated from their past sins when genuine independents were kicked and humiliated by the inadequate party poodles they dominated.
The only independent to be repeatedly elected over poodles of all parties for more than 10 years was Tim Buckland, who endured their petty meanness but is still called on for his knowledge and experience to sort out some of their absurdities.
'Council watchers' have always advocated that all candidates should stand on their own independent personal merit – this would give us very different councillors and a different town.
The Conservatives' preferred candidate for Drybridge Ward failed to get elected as an independent although sponsored by the much-missed Jeff Smith (the last independent mayor) and generous campaigners.
He was defeated by a Lib-Dem crowing that 'Politics is a dirty business'. It certainly was under their disgraceful but brief domination.
How can the members of either (sometimes both) councils have the nerve to stand again under any name considering their records and expense claims? Who is worth voting for?
Kirstie Buckland
(Monmouth)