I READ with interest in the defection of East Wickham Councillor Nick O'Hare from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservative Party.
The subsequent negative comments from the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party are understandable.
However, if Cllr O'Hare had been a Conservative councillor and had defected to one of these two parties, I strongly suspect they would be adopting the same position as the Conservatives regarding not holding a by-election.
Until the necessary rule change is made this anomaly will be allowed to continue in both local and national politics.
It is worth remembering the greatest prime minister this country has seen, Winston Churchill, defected from the Conservatives to the Liberals and back again.
It does not matter one iota whether Cllr O'Hare lives in Welling, Wilmington, or Chartwell.
It is his performance as a councillor which is important.
Should he decide to stand for the Tories at next year's elections, his future will be decided by the voters of the East Wickham ward.
ALAN BANNISTER
Welling
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