We need more independents

I HAVE followed with interest the comments on the forthcoming mayoral election, being one of the 13 per cent of the electorate who were allegedly misguided enough to vote for a mayor.

Admittedly it is something of a gamble, as we do not know enough about the powers the mayor will have, but almost anything must be better than the party system we have suffered over the few decades, and presumably it will be on similar lines to London.

R L Smith has commented and, as usual, I find him to be sensible and constructive.

I am very glad to see the appearance of Andy Thorne as an independent candidate.

I do not know whether Mr Thorne is the right man for the job, but I feel it is essential that we get away from party politics which has bedeviled local government over the years.

No one standing on a party ticket and no member of the city council, past or present, will get my vote.

George Ferguson, with whom I have some acquaintance and respect, is standing as an independent but has represented the Liberals in the past and therefore cannot be regarded as truly independent.

What we badly need is an experienced independent businessman, with good judgement, managerial skills, some experience of the workings of local government, a very thick skin, and above all the desire to do what is in the best interests of the city, party politics, class distinctions etc., aside.

Whether such a paragon exists and is willing to come forward to fill what must be a very challenging post, subject to close scrutiny and criticism, remains to be seen, but I fervently hope so. So more independent candidates please.

Derek Head

YOUR persistent correspondent R L Smith is hard to please (Take politics out of the equation The Post May 29).

He condemns political parties for nominating candidates for the office of elected mayor, whilst the independent George Ferguson is criticised for not being an indigenous Bristolian.

He goes on to plead for the city to abandon 'Europeanism' (does he mean the links with Hanover and Bordeaux?) and return to 'Bristol values'.

As an elector who is not Bristol born and bred, I should like Mr Smith to tell us what these cherished values are.

At present I fear that if ever Mr Smith or a native disciple were to become mayor, I and thousands of other Bristol citizens would lose our right to vote.

David Redway

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