Dear Editor,
I read in your last week's edition that three candidates have
put their names forward for the county council bye-election in
Narberth Rural.
All were described by your newspaper as "independent".
Does that mean "independent", as defined in my dictionary:
"not belonging to or supported by a party", or does
it mean potential member of the county council's ruling Independent
Political (sic) Group?
It hardly needs to be pointed out that this second meaning of
independent is the exact opposite of the dictionary definition.
This terminological confusion allows members of the IPG to go
about telling people that party politics has no place in local
government while, at one and the same time, being signed up to
what is, in all but name, a political party.
A second-hand car saleman using such methods could expect a visit
from the Trading Standards department.
I would venture to guess that, in common with most people, your
newspaper is in favour of the accurate labelling of food products.
Why shouldn't the same principle apply to politicians?
After all, it would seem to be essential, if democratic process
is to have any meaning at all, that the voters should have the
fullest possible information about the intentions and political
affiliations of the candidates.
Yours sincerely
Mike Stoddart ( independent (dictionary-definition) county councillor
for Hakin)