THE turnout for the latest Lydney Town Council by-election was once again derisory, but why are voters so disengaged nowadays? Perhaps it is a dearth of candidates who people feel empowered to vote for.

Even at General Elections, if over two thirds of the electorate have the will and motivation to put their cross against the name of the person they wish to see elected, there is a peal of bells and hurrahs of great joy by the Establishment. But where were the other 30 plus percent?

Dare I suggest that voting should be made compulsory in the same way that our Australian cousins have been doing for years now? Or should the political parties at least try to ensure that a person with expert local ground roots knowledge and with the experience of living in and working selflessly for his or her community, such as our Forest of Dean, be called upon to represent the people of that community in Parliament? Perhaps more voters would then think that MPs are not all the same, because their's is the genuine article and will fight their corner "without fear or favour".

I have read in your letters page that Tim Gwilliam's name is being put forward for the next Labour candidate for the Forest. No matter what his political affiliation is, there's a man who fits the bill, with a proven track record in the Dean. I'm not a member of the Labour Party, but I say to those who are: "select Tim as Labour candidate" and give us a decent choice from the present incumbent, who appears to have disappeared into the depths of Whitehall, apart from the occasional smiling photo-shoot.

– John Belcher, Joyford Hill.