A voter no more

I have used my vote for about 60 years or more, but will never vote again, and here are my reasons.

At the age of 80-something, I have decided that I cannot trust my so-called representatives any more. We have seen a few MPs prosecuted for abuse of the very liberal expenses system, and a man who was once the top charger in local government is now an MP.

At Chichester District Council, cabinet members have voted themselves a very generous 41 per cent increase, and a very lind ten per cent for ordinary councillors, at a time when we are supposed to be ‘all in it together’.

All this takes place under our Government, which seems to think more of giving foreign aid than it does of pulling our own country out of the muck and at the same time pins down pensions and wages, and cuts money to local government, resulting in people being sacked. Meanwhile MPs are going for an 11 per cent rise in their money, if they can get it.

However, Duncan’s suggestion of making everyone who is eligible to vote to do so, by law, is a good one, as long as it would allow me, and many others, to write on the ballot paper ‘none of the above’ and then to put it in the box.

Duncan calls it a democracy. I do not. The people can express themselves, and voice disapproval, but it makes no difference. Not voting in my case, at least, shows my contempt for them.

P. W. Watson

Sussex Street

Wick