Madam,

As the Welsh Electoral Reform Society’s argument (Cambrian News, 20 April) proves, Labour in Dwyfor Meirionnydd would be entitled to two to three seats on Gwynedd Council under proportional representation and Mrs Hughes’ Independents at most one. As it is Labour has none, whilst independents swarm in the council chamber.

When ‘local champions’, independents little known outside their wards, win handsomely on their home patches, it gives the council a group of councillors without principled political identity.

Independents are not supported by colleagues with similar political principles and, when a complaint about such a councillor needs to be made, there are no Dwyfor Meirionnydd party officers and executives to turn to, as there are in the Labour party.

We are voting in these elections for people to tackle unknown future problems on our behalf.

Ad hoc ‘independence’ tells voters nothing about how such problems will be dealt with. Nor does Plaid Cymru help, with its overenthusiastic programmes of cuts and its AM resigning from the party, and sensibly supporting Labour.

It is true that I had to stand down in Llangelynnin, because of a health issue now mercifully fully resolved.

If, in the spirit of democracy, Mrs Hughes stands down to force a by-election after her incorporation into the council, I will certainly seek the Labour party’s endorsement to stand against her.

Yours etc,

Ian MacIntyre, Shelbourne Court, St John’s Hill, Barmouth.

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