It's About Democracy

10.31.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 23rd May 2009

For the sake of democracy you should cast your vote for the right to freedom, liberty, equality and respect for all people to share basic rights and to live in peace

The MP's expenses debacle of the past week and a half has been very damaging to Parliament as well as to democracy because the actions of a small minority of MPs has caused a massive loss of trust amongst the public. They want to kick out all the politicians who have fiddled the system and made fortunes/gains at the voters' expense. Who can blame them?

I am pleased that it may be resolved at last in a wholesale reform of the expenses system but it has come at an enormous price for all of us, the public, who put their trust in their elected representatives.

I am mindful of the upcoming elections on June 4th which are now only two weeks away. I hope that voters will not turn away in disgust at the spectacle of hypocritical politicians who preach one thing and do another. Please remember that the right to vote is precious and that it has taken centuries to gain; wars have been fought and people have sacrificed their lives for universal suffrage. Just look at despotic regimes throughout the world. Only this week we have witnessed the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's elected national leader, who has spent the majority of 20 years in "protective custody". Her only crime is to champion democracy in her country and any attempt to challenge the illegitimate regime in Burma leads to repression and suffering.

For the sake of democracy you should cast your vote for the right to freedom, liberty, equality and respect for all people to share basic rights and to live in peace and develop their talents to the full.

(This is an open letter written by Councillor Marguerita Morton)