THE various personal encomia from assorted individuals on your pages in the run-up to the election remind me of the proposal by the 20th century French philosopher Simone Weil – “The good deputy is not the man who tries to convince people to make him one but the man who is sought out by the people”.

A critique of both those who present themselves for election and our supposedly democratic system.

Given the many instances over recent years of those elected to positions of trust feathering their own nests on the back of the taxpayers, while constraining public expenditure for those who need it, I am at a loss as to what can be done given the limitations of an archaic system of fixed office terms, first past the post and other stupidities.

However, people died in the past to get us near universal suffrage in the past hundred years, and not to vote with a conscience is making light of their sacrifice.

We can only hope that of those elected this time around some will do their moral duty and deliver real change.

Dr Mick Phythian, Monkton Road, York.