I WONDER if the people in this area are as bemused as I am with the attitudes of political parties to the views of ordinary people?

Labour marches inexorably onward and cares not a fig for the views of the majority while embracing more sleaze than any previous government. The joys of a large majority!

The Lib Dems are at least as determined to foist unpopular policies on voters.

In my experience, a majority of people voting for them are unaware of what they have actually voted for.

Conservatives want to offer us more of the above as their penance for Major's disasters as leader.

Many of my friends are starting to agree to vote for any party that will offer us true democracy, regardless as to whether or not this will be seen as "a wasted vote". This is the only way a perverse system can be changed.

We are of the view that the UK Independence Party may be a possible first step in the European Elections of 2004.

If the three MEPs they got last time could be added to considerably, the face of British politics could change forever.

Non-extremist radicals are what we need. Just what is so wrong with populism?

I am currently investigating the setting up of a national group consisting of political moderates who don't want to be told how we must think by party politicians.

I hope this is of interest to your readers.

We want to avoid hard left, hard right and green extremism when the inevitable voting backlash occurs.

LESLIE ARNOTT,

Athelstan Road,

Sheffield.