Sir, – Having recently turned 18, the forthcoming presidential election was to be the first in which I exercised my right to vote, but no longer.
Mr Norris is a man who defies so many of the depressing norms and orthodoxies that typify politics here, and the support he commanded was heartening. He is one of those champions who has secured for our generation liberties our parents did not enjoy.
That such a man, with such support, could be driven out of the race by witch-hunt and trial by media, and by a vocal, insidious minority, is all that need be said of the country we live in. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – David Norris represented the best chance we, the people, had to take back our presidency from the political parties. We can only hope that another strong Independent candidate will enter the fray. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I am minded to spoil my vote in the presidential election by writing “David Norris” on the ballot paper as a protest against the domination of the nomination process by politicians. If enough voters do the same, the pressure will be on for a referendum to alter article 12.4.2 of the Constitution to allow the electorate to nominate candidates by collecting, say, 50,000 signatures of support.
The same referendum should also propose a five-year term. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – After the Norris controversy and now rumours of Dana’s return, it is fair to say this presidential election race has already had all kinds of everything. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Am I the only person who remembers the campaign of vilification Senator Norris conducted against Pope Benedict XVI? Mr Norris should remember that what goes around comes around.
Yours faithfully,