WHAT the bishops say about the disconnect between the traditional political parties and electors may be true (Echo, Feb 18).

There has been a departure from basic values.

Politicians are so keen on calculation of the public mood that they appear to have forgotten why they entered the fray in the first place. In Scotland, when the question was voting on whether to stay with the Union or leave there was a massive turnout on a scale similar to immediate post-war years.

The sound of the trumpet has to be clear.

If our bishops look closer to home they will see that the congregations they attract have diminished. Could it be that the Reverend Peter Mullen is right that the flock might return if the fires of hell were proclaimed louder from the pulpits?

We may go to the cinemas to see Fifty Shades of Grey but once seen we shrug our shoulders and wait for the next sensation.

G Bulmer, Richmond.