A RECENT letter suggested opting out of our democratic process was a virtue and to be encouraged.

I would like to point out the dangers and implications.

What would anyone hope to achieve by this and are such actions likely to improve our democratic and political process or political accountability?

I believe I have a duty in a democratic society to express my preference in all elections.

I have never agreed with every policy put forward by my own party, and I don’t expect ever to do so.

We all have individual political views and policies which we would like to see introduced. Some of us want more left or right wing policies and others more middle of the road. By accepting some level of political compromise I have been able to support a Labour Party which has allowed Britain to introduce more progressive policies and a fairer, more just society.

Without voters being willing to accept that we all have to compromise sometimes we would never have created the NHS or our Welfare State. No Tory or Liberal Democrat government would have introduced the Minimum Wage.

For Britain to create a progressive Labour majority and introduce such policies we need to be able to attract voters from left and right and the middle of the road.

It is impossible to put in place such a coalition unless voters are prepared to compromise their own political position to secure a democratic mandate.

I am often dismayed by some who seem to put their own left wing policies, views and principles ahead of the chance of securing a progressive government.

Such people are often not directly affected by a failure to secure a left of centre government and continue to eat the croissants while reading their Observer on Sunday, with the sure feeling that they have not compromised their own cherished principles.

I understand why so many people sometimes feel badly let down by the actions of a few politicians but in defence of most of my colleagues I would just remind people that most MPs are hard-working, dedicated members who try their best to represent their constituents. Democracy may have faults but it is a hundred times better than living in a country in which citizens’ views count for nothing and people are denied their basic right to vote.

Dave Watts MP

St Helens North