First, the option of postal voting should always be available, especially for those who know they will be unable to attend the polling station on the day because of prior commitments. Also there should be some mechanism to excuse those who are unable to vote because of some suddenly occurring emergency (preferably this term should be very generously interpreted). Secondly, I agree with Robert Dow’s excellent comment that a “none of the above” option should be included on all ballot papers. This might be vastly improved: if that “candidate” were to get a larger share of the vote than any of the others, the latter should forfeit their deposits and a new election should take place from which they would be barred from standing. That way the electorate’s displeasure with the “professional” politicians could have some real effect. Martin D Stern Hanover Gardens Salford