It’s easy to be cynical (From York Press)

It’s easy to be cynical

11:40am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Letters

MICHAEL CROSTHWAITE writes to criticise the standard of modern politicians (Letters, May 4) – bizarrely citing, among others, the universally respected former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, as “power-struck.”

We get a nasty glimpse of his political instincts when he says Britain has “overfilled itself with people”.

His casual dismissal of all politicians as incapable may be fashionable, but that doesn’t make it true.

For the past few months, candidates and political activists have voluntarily given up their evenings and weekends to deliver leaflets, knock on doors and talk to voters about local issues. We don’t get paid – we do it because we want to make a difference to our communities. It really would be much easier to stay at home and watch Pointless.

Curiously, I can’t seem to find Mr Crosthwaite’s name on the list of independent candidates who stood in Knaresborough in the local elections this month. Could it be that he’s happy to write a cynical letter berating politicians, but won’t give up the time to stand for election himself?

Christopher Twells, Tang Hall Lane, York.