Reading the report about the visit to Darwen by former Primer Minister Tony Blair (LT, May 5), Mr Daniel Wrigley aged 33 years apparently stated that he would not be voting and that he never had and that it doesn’t affect him.

Sorry, Mr Wrigley, it most certainly does affect you and each and everyone of us.

If we don’t vote then we cannot hope to change things we don’t like nor have a democratically run country.

Also, if we don’t vote we have no right to complain how the country is run. As far as I am concerned there are far too many people, especially among the young, who do not vote when they should do.

I would like to see a system they have in Australia where, if you don’t vote, you are fined. I would like to see a £1,000 fine for non-voters in this country. It could be taken out of wages, benefits or paid off in instalments. Also, postal votes should be stopped and another fraud-proof way implemented. People who don’t vote are glad to accept any advantages to them brought in by whichever party is in power.

So get out there and vote next time!

H Hamer, Blackburn