IS YOUR correspondent Peter Woodley having a laugh? He urges the Poole People’s Party to “keep clear of politics and side with no one” (Letters, May 13).

Their stunning successes in the recent elections were surely all about gaining entry into the political process not keeping clear of it. As for siding with no one, for ever maintaining a neutral position in politics is hardly doing the electorate any service.

I would suggest Mr Woodley’s concern is of the negative aspects of the political process – the horse-trading and partisan scrapping. By deciding to enter politics, all politicians are innately opinionated and many hold passionate beliefs.

As a result it is all too easy for the political process to overheat and turn negative and tribal. Whether Poole People’s Party have the mettle to maintain positive and reasoned relationships with one or both of the other groups on Poole council remains to be seen. I hope they can as negative tribal politics is good for nobody.

DR MARTIN RODGER, Bloxworth Road, Parkstone, Poole