I FEEL I must respond to Zoe Bradshaw's letter published in the Okehampton Times last week. Ms Bradshaw suggested that if the Labour Government forged ahead with the county council elections then people should choose to disenfranchise themselves by not voting.

In my opinion this is a ludicrous idea. The Government must act in the interests of the nation as a whole and not just one section of it. To postpone the county council election, as Ms Bradshaw appears to be advocating, is wholly unnecessary.

All parties recognise that door-to-door canvassing is not essential, as modern communications have provided new ways of informing the electorate. Furthermore, canvassing in a rural constituency like West Devon and Torridge is a logistical nightmare and even the most assiduous canvasser like myself cannot knock on every door.

Thankfully, there is no technical reason why every adult could not vote, as postal votes are now readily available. Rather than being a clarion call in the defence of democracy I believe that Ms Bradshaw's letter is simply another Lib Dem or Tory plot to undermine what is an extremely successful government.

As a Labour supporter I feel her call to rise up and do nothing should indeed be answered by all Tory and Lib Dem supporters. However, all Labour supporters should vote as normal on polling day and make their protest known in the usual manner.

Rebecca Richards-Mole

Constituency chair West Devon and Torridge Labour Party

1 White Tor Close

Okehampton

ZOE Bradshaw (Letters, March 22) suggests 'people power' could be used by not voting if the government presses on with a May election. I am sure Mr Blair would be delighted as those most likely to ignore such action would be his 'people'.

I consider the most effective action would be to encourage the highest possible turnout — by whatever means may be available — and to vote tactically to get rid of the present government before Blair finishes off the entire country — not just the countryside.

There are quite a few such opportunities in the South West and there could be no greater incentive to 'shake ourselves out of our usual apathy' than the present circumstances.

Robert W Lloyd

Little Preston

Inwardleigh