PERHAPS I shouldn't get wound up by HAS correspondence but, John Merry's letter about the recent leaders' debate (HAS, April 6) really did provoke my annoyance.

The letter was a lazy generalisation about people who bother to get involved in politics. It suggested all politicians are the same. It made a populist and cynical analysis of all the political party leaders.

I'm an avowedly Labour supporter but I have respect for all people who get involved.

There's an adage that we get the politicians we deserve. I tend to come across elected representatives who are generally thoughtful, articulate and hard-working. Perhaps Mr Merry comes across different people to me.

If politicians are continuously denigrated, in future I suspect we'll lower the quality of people prepared to put their head above the parapet and get involved.

People who promote cynicism about our politics have a simple choice if they want to change things. They could get involved.

They should shape the politicians they want and they may consider seeking office themselves.

Richard Bulmer, Sheffield.

I AM so angry at the letter from John Merry published in Monday's paper.

I can only hope the prominence you gave it was in order to provoke a response because to highlight such tosh does The Northern Echo no credit at all. His inane comments on each of the politicians adds nothing to the debate so close to a General Election.

He says of one candidate: "Get your hair done, love." Really? In 2015?

Does Mr Merry seriously consider this to be an acceptable judgement on the merits of a party leader who came out of the debate somewhat better than the men taking part.

Misogyny is alive and well and living in Darlington.

Judith Vincent, Durham.

REGARDING some of the blunt comments by John Merry. I suspect his view that "Our politicians showed themselves to be utterly worthless" may send out some shock waves.

While he was critical of all the leaders in the TV debate it was clear who the two main political parties are worried about as they soon turned on SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon over a leaked memo about her alleged preference for David Cameron over Ed Miliband (later denied).

On balance most people thought the three women did better than the four men in the TV leadership debate.

The worry locally here in Redcar and Cleveland is that the candidates selected don't really offer voters a genuine local grass roots choice.

For far to long we have seen career politicians parachuted or shoe horned in, especially in Redcar.

I'm not sure why we don't get real grass roots local candidates?

Cllr George Dunning, New Independent Redcar and Cleveland Teesville Ward.