Letter: Howard to end an old custom
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IT APPEARS that Michael Howard's proposal to involve lord-lieutenants in the selection of members of police authorities is still alive ('Heading for trouble', 20 February). It remains entirely unacceptable, and serves to demonstrate the Home Secretary's failure to understand the very traditions he is trying to subvert.
Apparently, there would be six regional committees on which two lord-lieutenants would serve, together with a 'headhunter'. This comes into immediate conflict with the established custom over the centuries whereby a lord-lieutenant is concerned only with events within his or her county.
What is more, choosing 12 out of some 48 will inevitably involve some sort of selection process. Who will allocate the fortunate, or unfortunate, dozen? Presumably Mr Howard himself, thereby further corrupting a questionable procedure from the start.
HARVEY R COLE
Winchester
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments