The article, A view from the Ridgway (September 1), made very interesting reading, most of which I agree with.

Why do you need friends and be popular within your ‘cult’ political party to retain your seat?

Some of the most successful politicians had neither friends nor popularity, eg Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill.

Could the reason for the low regard in which most local politicians are held be more basic?

We have an army of people who want to be ‘party career politicians’instead of volunteers who want to serve the community.

The demise of trust started in the 70s. That was with the introduction of monetary expense allowances for councillors, followed by additional allowances for attending meetings.

Now we have fixed salaries with top-up payments for extra duties and pension related payments – in other words a job.

Whatever happened to the ethos to serve the community?

Locally we have a handful of ‘service to the community and city’ councillors. For many it is a salaried job.

I agree with Ridgway, selection of candidates is in turmoil. Most candidates want political jobs.

With no local, ie ward input is it any surprise?

Labour party internal warfare for safe seats, is it trade union orchestrated?

Greens seeing their power evaporating on a daily basis flee the sinking ship. Those that remain switching to what looks like a more winnable seat.

Conservatives seem to have abandoned ward democracy for centralisation.

There is an easy solution. Let us elect people who want to serve the city and community, not people who want to be career politicians, have a well paid part time job or use the position of councillor for their own ideological purpose.

Give the role of nominating council candidates back to local people, not political party HQs.

Joe Tansey

Coldean Lane,

Brighton