IN SOME circles, concern is routinely expressed about 'electoral apathy'.

People, it is asserted, are not interested in politics. They cannot be bothered to vote.

Sometimes those who are fashionably dismissive pose as superior individuals who regard voting as beneath them. In either event such people have no right to complain about the way government is carried on.

After a long and difficult historical struggle a universal (well nearly) franchise was achieved. Since then, instead of being cherished as a privilege and a duty, perversely it has become an unvalued 'right'.

It could, of course, be argued that if people are uninterested in politics and ignorant about the issues, perhaps they are acting responsibly by not casting a vote. I rather like that thought but am not charitable enough to believe it.

Rather, accepting the perversity of human nature, instead of appealling to people to vote, or offering inducements, the best way of altering the situation might be to deny people the automatic right to vote in the sure and certain expectation that they will then clamour for it.

Find a way to some mechanism which will give individuals the choice to use their right to vote or lose it.

D J Findlater, Silverdale.