I WANT to increase voter participation in elections, but York MP Hugh Bayley's proposal for everyone to be sent a postal vote automatically is not the answer (September 13).

At a time when the credit card companies are planning to introduce more secure methods than a signature to prevent fraud and the Government is proposing identity cards, our MP suggests distributing ballot papers like junk mail. Will we be having kerbside ballot boxes next?

The answer is not to devalue the vote even further, but make it mean something by ending privatisation and ensuring our public services are accountable to those we elect.

Coun Andy D'Agorne,

Green Party,

Broadway West, York.

Updated: 09:20 Saturday, September 20, 2003