A RECENT television programme gave their viewers a chance to elect a Member of Parliament.

The choice was from a selection of several, some sugary, most intelligent, passionate, ordinary and well-intentioned people from all walks of life - people determined to tread the "middle course" by improving the NHS, improving education and the social services.

Then it moved on to one extremely brash, radical, totally right-wing person.

All the judges slated and ridiculed him and his arrogant style of rhetoric, and completely dismissed his stated policies as being beyond comprehension and certainly not a vote winner!

But guess who was chosen to be the Member of Parliament? Yes! The man who stood up for Great Britain was overwhelmingly elected to represent his country by the public's telephone vote and the studio audience's vote! Very strange.

JAMES H ALEXANDER,

Symonds Yat West,

Herefordshire.