Independents should look to earlier rebel
From: Frank Goulding, Vernon Street, Newark.
THE recent birth of The Independent Group at Westminster is frequently compared to the formation of the SDP in 1981.
The new Parliamentary gathering would be better studying the performance of the Lincoln Democratic Labour Association formed by Dick Taverne who won a sensational by-election in that city on March 1, 1973.
The by-election was won by Mr Taverne gaining 58.2 per cent of the poll on a strongly proEuropean campaign.
Dick Taverne had been deselected by a then increasingly left-wing dominated local Labour Party.
A strong grassroots local party was formed and a brilliant campaign was won which incorporated many people who were new to politics.
The losing Labour Party had been supported by prominent big names of that time. The presence of Denis Healey, Barbara Castle, Tony Benn and Michael Foot amongst others made little impression on the Lincoln electorate.
The then “new politics” went on to have remarkable local government success winning 47 elections, controlling Lincoln City Council from 1974-78 and electing the first woman leader of the local authority in 1975.
A 28 per cent rate reduction in 1976 and the saving of the local theatre were just two of its achievements.
Without a national base and a national name outside of Lincoln, it was inevitable that the brave breakthrough in Lincoln would not succeed and the last councillor lost his seat nine months before the SDP was formed.
The state of British politics is far worse in 2019 than was the background to the Lincoln byelection.
The new Independent Group will have to ensure they can gain the support of a country which is weary of the Brexit politics.
The early polls seem to indicate they can move forward but, along with other smaller parties, they must avoid the pitfalls that the SDP sadly failed to overcome.
From: David Rhodes, Keble Park North, Bishopthorpe, York.
DON’T MPs see the permanent damage they are inflicting on the country and politics?
The Tories should hire a room and lock in every MP until some form of agreement is reached, Theresa May to be then instructed to notify the EU and Parliament that this is the Government’s policy and is to be implemented.
Time is short, but no extension to the deadline date of March 29 should be sought as it will only be filled with more waffle and posturing. As the time starts running out, there will be panic on both sides of the Channel and common sense could possibly concentrate minds.
If a general election is called, I would doubt that 50 per cent of current MPs would get re-elected and fringe parties would emerge.
Does Parliament want such anarchy? Every MP must search their heart and souls to obtain a sensible outcome and possibly remember the outcome of the last referendum!