SIR – I thought Geraldine Lowman’s letter in support of Neil Morris’ public expression of his opinions about education policy was excellent. (October 18). If Michael Gove and the rest of the Government were truly interested in raising standards of education, wouldn’t they welcome the input of experienced professionals like Mr Morris?

Tim Palmer suggested in his letter published on October 15 that the Government ought to be left to change the education system unimpeded by the apparent inconvenience of people outside the Government sharing their thoughts.

I believe that this demonstrates a poor understanding of democracy.

Indeed, as Ms Lowman wrote of Mr Morris’ expression of his opinions – ‘surely this is what denotes democracy or would we rather live in a patriarchal autocracy relying on the benign attitude of our “superiors”?’

NEIL LAURENSON

Worcester