Letter: Voters' choice

Sir: If Maria Hellyer (letter, 16 November) and others like her who want "none of the above" on their ballot papers are so concerned about the good government of the country, then they have an option. They should stand themselves, and offer those like them the opportunity to vote.

Political parties find it difficult to attract men and women prepared to work long hours, often in dark, wet streets and on unfriendly doorsteps, and their programmes, even when overwhelmingly attractive, will contain elements we don't like. That is not an excuse for "none of the above". It's a call to come down out of ivory towers and get stuck in.

Maria Hellyer is lazy and self-righteous if she thinks that "none of the above" contributes to democracy.

HOWARD COOPER

Harrow Weald, Middlesex