IT seems the threat of a hung parliament is needlessly troubling voters and political party leaders alike.

Pre-1997, this country was in a mess under Tory rule with New Labour’s blue-eyed, new boy wonder, Tony Blair, waiting in the wings, promising manna from heaven for all once he got his foot in 10 Downing Street – and we fell for it and have regretted it since.

Now, it’s the likes of David Cameron and Nick Clegg, together with running mate Gordon Brown, conning voters by promising much the same as Mr Blair and his cohorts did all those years ago, but reneged on once in power. Will we ever learn?

What actually happened was the rich have got richer and the have-nots were left out.

Close-knit politicians it seems, regardless of party, have been robbing us for years, leaving a daily national newspaper to expose the expenses fraud.

Having a hung parliament is just what is needed in today’s climate. Giving one political party absolute power over a long period is a recipe for disaster. MP numbers must be reduced along with a limited tenure to safeguard democracy.

Norman Wall, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear