What an intolerant and authoritarian bunch our Green councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council are turning out to be, as evidenced by the way they have kicked out Councillor Christina Summers for voting against supporting same-sex marriage (The Argus, September 18).

Given the LibDems have led the fight for equal marriage, and my personal commitment to the women’s right to choose, I don’t agree with the ideas to which Coun Summers is aligned. But given this woman’s genuine heartfelt difference of opinion, does it really call for the use of the party jackboot?

The Greens’ action is almost Stalinist; instead of dialogue and discussion, the poor councillor is politically exiled by the Green thought-police.

On the other hand, other readers may wish to have a look at debates in the Brighton LibDem conference next week.

The LibDems applaud arguments which run contrary to our own, as long as the argument is well made.

If the Greens can be like this to their own members, what chance for the rest of us in this city?

Brian Stone, chair, Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats

I do feel the Greens are shooting themselves in the foot by expelling Coun Summers.

Their majority is so slim that they can ill afford to lose a number, albeit one they consider a loose cannon.

Why did this take up so much time and headline space anyway?

Surely this should have been a private matter, while the majority of the council got on with running the city.

P Challis, Ditchling Road, Brighton

I find it disgraceful that Coun Summers should be expelled from the Green group on the council.

This sounds more like the work of a communist party.

I applaud Christina Summers for sticking to her principals.

W Winder, Applesham Way, Portslade

What a sad day for democracy when a political party purports to offer freedom of expression to its elected representatives, but only when they agree with what it says.

Coun Summers has supported same-sex civil partnerships for homosexuals and lesbians, but not marriage, which is the union of a man to a woman as God ordained. She would be untrue to her faith and herself if she voted any other way.

I heard her being interviewed on the radio and it reminded me of a bloodthirsty pack of wolves tearing into her, but she responded brilliantly with decorum and dignity.

If Coun Summers could cause mayhem by resigning and forcing a by-election (which Labour would certainly win) she should do it.

But she probably wouldn’t because she is not that nasty, unlike the Green Party. Good riddance to them.

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