THE Government has recently announced that people who feel passionately enough can have their favourite subjects debated in the House of Commons if 100,000 signatures are provided on an on-line petition.?This is a good idea. Our representatives in parliament discuss among themselves whether or not to change the law according to the wishes of the people. This is democracy in action. Or is it?

Two years ago those very members of parliament, or 311 of them, deliberately denied demo-

cracy to the people by refusing to allow a national referendum on the European Treaty of Lisbon. They did not want the people to have their say. Three years ago they were having the gall to suggest state funding for political parties. Despite their salaries, and expenses, they did not want to pay their own membership subscriptions. These MP's do not want to do anything for the people, they want the people to do everything for them.

Whatever subjects they debate there is no guarantee the decision they reach will accord with the wishes of the people who signed the petition. It would be far better if the 100,000 signatures was a qualification for a national referendum. Then we would know the wishes of the people.

– Anthony Reeve, Oak Way, Littledean.