I SYMPATHISE with the two remaining independent councillors who have apparently been nourishing a viper in their bosom.

There is talk of betrayal on the part of Cllr Derek Borthwick who has quit the Independent group on the council to join the Conservatives.

I am sorry to say that this latest development marks the end of a chapter on Bournemouth Council. After many years of unstinting effort, it has proved impossible to achieve a sizeable group of councillors who are independent of party.

The fact is that the electorate are just not interested. There is no shortage of correspondents who suggest that there is much support for non-party candidates, but unfortunately it is not backed up by votes.

When it comes down to it, people continue to behave in a tribal fashion (to use the current buzzword) and there is no room for outsiders.

There isn’t even room for other parties and it is probable that even the Lib Dems will find themselves completely marginalised in future elections.

Certainly, after this, even fewer people will want to vote independent when they can find themselves saddled with a Tory, barely a week after the election.

Although Cllrs Rey and Whittaker have been independent councillors for many years, it is clear that even they have party sympathies and antipathies.

Surely, when there are able people sitting on the council, it is better that they play a constructive and meaningful part in the running of the council rather than simply criticising from the sidelines.

Once they have had an opportunity to reflect on recent events, might they not feel that the borough’s interests would be best served if they were to join one or other of the main parties?

TONY WILLIAMS, Warnford Road, Bournemouth