Independent line

I AGREE that voting for an independent candidate in the local elections can be the best option (Letters). I have always believed national party politics should play no part in local government. We talk about our marvellous democracy,

but then vote for people to run our boroughs, counties and country on the basis that they stand for a particular party. Shouldn’t we elect people based on their ability and experience?

No wonder the standard of councillors and MPs is so poor. They only get picked to stand if they are slaves to the party line, irrespective of ability.

I live in a Conservative safe seat and have often joked that if the Tories put up a carrot as a candidate, their majority would not be affected.

Look at the person behind the rosette before you vote for them. And if in doubt, voting independent is much better than ‘none of the above’.

DAVID J. WHITE, Basingstoke, hants.