Michelle Stevens's time as a Hurstville councillor could be described as a Shakespearean tragedy ("Resignation shifts council's balance", Leader, April 10).
A person of strong Labor values, backed by her local branch members, welcomed by her fellow Labor councillors, she had the confidence of those in the party.
Her idealism to do the right thing, however, soon came unstuck: she proved to be naïve, was seduced by the bright lights of office and quickly became susceptible to Machiavellian politics.
By denying not supporting her team in the mayoral election and using the secret ballot to back her claim, she thinks other councillors can't count heads.
A true political independent is rare; her comment of "I was elected to serve the residents of Hurstville and I feel I can only do this as an independent" is self-serving.
Independents usually align themselves to the group that is closest to their own basic ideology, and will trade off for self-interest.
Her act of resignation shows that she will defy all her once-espoused Labor values.
David Dawson, Bexley
