The rise of the Independents

Sir, – The Government has dismissed us as people of no consequence. We have nothing to lose by voting for Independents. – Yours, etc,

EDWARD LEE,

Passage West,

Co Cork.

Sir, – Are there sufficient numbers of voters who truly want radical, reforming politics, and are thus willing to eschew the perceived benefits of clientelism? Will those newly elected “radical” TDs fearlessly pursue those reforming policies, and thus abandon parish pump issues, once and for all? We have heard such promises so many times in the recent past; the evidence to date does not bode well for this promised “new dawn”. – Yours, etc,

D O’SHEA,

Grange,

Cork.