Sir, – I am most concerned about your note of clarification in response to the letter from Margaret Whitehead (D&S, March 27). It could clearly be read as an attempt to subvert the democratic process by discouraging people from voting.

At the last election the number of non-voters in this constituency was greater than William Hague’s majority (27,151 to 23,336); in other words, almost a third of the electorate did not vote. Your note is effectively telling those people not to bother again on this occasion, and saying that those who might vote for candidates other than the Conservative also need not bother, since the result is a foregone conclusion and their vote would be wasted.

Given the frequent bewailing of the public’s disillusion with politics and the low turn-out at elections, comments such as yours are not supportive of democracy. This impression is heightened by your refusal to accord equal respect to all candidates, and to show everyone on the electoral register that there are alternatives and that every vote counts.

In the light of the above I call on you to alter your stance, show your faith in democracy, give a fair and independent service to your readers and present each candidate equally.

HUGO RADICE

Askrigg, Leyburn.