Sir, – The Irish Times continues to give coverage to those who are against the "whip" in political life ("Spare the whip", Editorial, November 7th).
As someone who once “lost the whip”, on Dublin City Council, I understand fully the need for party discipline in ensuring the smooth running of our democracy and political structures. Those who advocate otherwise are usually commentators and not practitioners.
I broke the whip, which I do not regret, and took the consequences. This took the form of serving as an Independent member of the council for 18 months. During that time I was, of course, free to take any position I wanted on any issue – and did. It was also the case that I could no longer automatically assume the support of my Labour colleagues on issues of key importance to me and my constituents. It was, in that respect, the most enjoyable, but least productive, time I have spent as an elected councillor.
The whip exists to ensure some degree of stability. It provides for stronger leadership and decision-making. It is a freely decided decision to seek a party nomination and accept the whip – after that, if you join the game you obey the rules. Conscience applies to many issues and not just the highly emotive ones. And even after losing the whip all is not lost. Ten years after doing so I became leader of the group that I was once thrown out of. I am, of course, not encouraging any of my present colleagues to follow that lead. – Yours, etc,
Cllr DERMOT LACEY,
Donnybrook, Dublin 4.