Sir, - There has been much moaning and groaning from politicians and pundits about the low turn-out at last week's elections. Does it ever dawn on them that low polls can be seen as demonstrating the success of politics? Politics is at its most successful when it is relatively boring - when it is safer and more reliable. If there were an enormous controversy - epic left-wing/right-wing battles, for instance - the turnout would be exemplary.
There is not much difference between the political parties, either in ideology or ability. People know that; they are largely happy to let the parties get on with it, and to let their fellow-citizens, in whom they have confidence, do the voting. And why not? The important thing is that the vote is there to be exercised, and if needs be, it will be. Not exercising the vote is also freedom. I voted, by the way. - Gerald Daly,
Ashford, Co Wicklow.