Letter: Malawi must look to its political future

Sir: The High Commissioner of Malawi doubts the validity of claims of popularity by so-called 'pressure groups' in his country (Letters, 22 December). He must also realise that the promised referendum on the country's political future will have no validity whatsoever unless the laws that curtail freedom of speech and allow detention without trial are changed, and as long as prominent advocates of multi-party democracy, such as Vera Chirwa and Chakufwa Chihana, are kept out of the running by their continued imprisonment.

Yours sincerely,

ALISTAIR KING

Newstead, Borders

24 December