I WAS sorry to read that councillor Mark Hill lost his wager on the result of the European Parliament elections (Diary, June 16) and that he, or one of his Green colleagues, will not be our MEP.

I am firmly convinced that the future of British politics lies in the hands of smaller parties - and lots of them.

Smaller parties seem to have closer ties to the communities in which their representatives are based and also seem to genuinely represent their constituents.

The Liberal Democrats started this trend but, sadly, in broadening their strength to a national level they seem to have lost that rapport with the people they claim to represent. There are far too many greedy and corrupt MPs who represent no one but themselves and their own very narrow interests.

The large parties seem out of touch and I wouldn't be sorry to see the complete demise of the Conservatives, Labour (old and New) and even the Liberal Democrats who seem to have lost their way.

I don't really know what other people think of politicians, but I'm sickened by people who try to enhance their own standing by espousing policies born of hatred, fear, division and mistrust.

We have only one planet and we are basically all the same. We all learn to live together with the resources we have or we all die together.

It seems that simple to me.

None of the 'big three' parties seem to acknowledge this.

That is why they didn't get my vote.

Dr Richard Greaves,

Morehall Close, York.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, June 18, 2004