Once upon a time there was something called democracy. One selected the party one felt would best represent one’s feelings and opinions.

The party receiving most votes took power and endeavoured to run the country on behalf of those who had voted for them.

I have always taken what I consider a responsible attitude to using the vote that many women died to ensure I received.

I read all the party leaflets (however illiterate) that come through the door. I read the manifestos of those I considered worthy and on election day I made my selection and I put my X next to the party I had selected.

On so many occasions I have discovered after the election that the activities of the party in power bore no relation whatsoever to their pre-election manifesto – quite the opposite in some cases.

This raises many questions, chief of which is: why are political parties permitted to make promises they have no intention of keeping? Surely there should be legislation to ensure that politicians do not make empty promises at election time, otherwise there is no value in democracy.

I am sorely tempted never to vote again.

Perhaps there should be a box on every ballot paper marked ‘None of the above’, so that we voters who are sick of evasions of the truth can indicate that they have no faith in any of the candidates or their party politics.

DOROTHY JENKINSON

Woodstock Road

Oxford