YESTERDAY, I was able to vote for a police and crime commissioner. How could I possibly make an informed decision when we have been given so little information?

I had a few paragraphs in the D&S Times and a leaflet through the letter box extolling the virtues of the Conservative candidate. After some effort, I have been able to get a wish list, probably unachievable, for each candidate off the web, but I am little wiser.

Genuine democracy is very expensive, as the Americans know in their endeavours to select a presidential candidate.

Can we afford it? Another very low turnout will confirm the lack of interest in the PCC election. The Government should rethink the need for PCCs.

The chairman of the old police authority could have had similar powers and democratic accountability having been elected by the members of the police authority, many of whom had been democratically elected.

Miles Garnett, South Otterington, Northallerton