Sir, - Two-and-a-half thousand years ago, the Greek city of Athens invented a new system of government - democracy - which enabled its citizens to participate directly in the politics and administration of their state.

Yet on the eve of the 2001 general election, if the media is to be believed, the main issue is likely to be apathy on the part of the electorate. If this turns out to be true and we get a low turnout, the loser will be democracy itself. Democracy by definition means power to the people through participation. Disregard it and it will wither away.

Why this apathy? Is it because the result is seen as a foregone conclusion? But democracy is more than the perception of the result but participation in the process. Abstaining brings only negative change. When one voter says my vote does not matter, it does when a million more say the same.

Is apathy due to disillusion with politicians inability to deliver? Governments and oppositions are not perfect. We live in a complex society where a kaleidoscope of problems cannot be solved by a quick fix. We expect too much of the political system. If we agree with 75pc of a party's policies, why do we carp over the remainder?

Is it due to a feeling that there is little difference between the parties? A close examination of the parties policies reveals substantive differences on a whole range of issues. If we believe passionately in a single issue neglected by the parties we have the option of fighting for it by joining a pressure group.

Is it cynicism towards individual politicians that breeds apathy? MPs by and large are well-intentioned, hard working representatives of the people. Continuous cynicism directed at their motives merely corrodes parliamentary democracy. Would we like a constant cynicism directed towards our efforts at the workplace?

It is incumbent on us all to vote. It is too easy to say nothing changes so why bother - if we don't vote, nothing will. It is a small civic duty we are called on to perform. Apathy will only fuel the support for alternative systems such as anarchism, the philosophy of which we have seen recently on London's streets, where the alternative to a cross on a ballot slip is to lob a brick through a shop window.

If this, the first election of the new millennium is notable for its low turnout, it will be a sad commentary on the memory of those democrats of ancient Athens who pioneered the system.

S W LENNIE

Bridge Cottage,

Hawes.

Missing billions

Sir, - It becomes increasingly obvious on a day-by-day basis, that Mr William Hague is not fit to lead the divided remnants of his own party, let alone don the mantle of Prime Minister.

How can that man seek from Mr Tony Blair an assurance that he will not increase taxes during the next parliamentary term? Is he himself prepared to give such an assurance? Can he guarantee that there will be no further outbreaks of violence in the Balkans or elsewhere? Outbreaks of human or animal pestilence in this country? Crude oil price rises caused by Opec policies? Exceptional floods and other weather disasters arising from global warming? All these and other factors are beyond the control of any government.

As for the Tory catch-phrase, "stealth tax", does he think that we have all forgotten the swingeing increases in National Insurance contributions, prescription charges, negative equity and house repossessions, robbing the old age pensioner of £22 per week, stripping the aged of their assets should they need care, ever-rising mortgage interest payments, out of control inflation? He should think again.

ALAN BENN

(Labour Party candidate,

North Yorkshire County Council,

Bedale division)

Burneston Village stores

and post office, Bedale.

In the front line

Sir, - The White House has announced that President Bush intends to send a high level delegation to try to persuade western governments to put themselves under the protection of the US nuclear defence shield, originally known as Nuclear Missile Defence, but soon nicknamed Star Wars.

As the early-warning part of this system is centred on Menwith Hill near Harrogate and the rapid-response part is at Fylingdales near Whitby, Yorkshire would be in the front line of any nuclear missile attack upon the USA.

It would therefore be prudent for Yorkshire voters to try to get plain and clear statements from all parliamentary candidates to explain what their reaction to this US pressure is going to be. The consequences are so great that it needs to be made a central issue for Yorkshire in the general election.

JOHN SIMPSON

Plum Tree House,

Thirlby,

Thirsk.