I write in response to John Timbrell's letter of May 27.

I think he is worrying unnecessarily. Independents are, by virtue of their name and inclinations, individuals who bear no allegiance to any political party, either left, right or centre.

The group of Independents in Forest of Dean District Council has no whip and the leader cannot undertake how any of them will vote, because he does not know. I have been watching the council closely now for four years and it is impossible to forecast which way any individual Independent, including the leader, will vote on any particular issue. They listen to the debates and vote according to which side has put forward the most compelling argument. 

It is entirely possible that Norman Stephens has advised the council leader that the Independents will co-operate with the ruling party, but this is not the same as being in coalition with them and he is not in a position to pledge Independent votes because he has no sanctions to impose if they vote in a way that he, or the ruling party, do not agree with.

It is to be hoped that all councillors will co-operate with each other when the interests of the Forest and its inhabitants are at stake to bring about the best outcome on any matter.

 – Dr Daphne Pearson, Tinman's Green, Redbrook.