Madam, - Election candidates succeed or fail almost entirely because of their party affiliation - which is the preference of the voters. Therefore, if they later change parties, they betray their supporters.
Independents succeed due to their special "platforms", and to their personal character, which makes them preferable to any party member.
Therefore, if they then subject themselves to a party whose discipline may impede advocacy of their "platforms", they have betrayed their supporters.
No change of status should be made by elected persons without the approval of their supporters. Such transfers ignore voters' rights, and to say merely that "this is the custom" is no justification for such a practice. - Yours, etc.,
PETER A. GREHAN, Caherdaniel, Co Kerry.