I AM not political but I often sit listening to the untruths spoken by those who are, be they politicians or the people who support the different parties, and shake my head in disbelief.

It amazes me how they can obfuscate or even lie and believe people won't see through them. An example of this was a letter from David Quarrie in which he complains that only 37 per cent of those who voted elected the present Government.

I decided to do a little research, and found that in 1979 only 31 per cent of the eligible voting population, not actual voters, gave a mandate to that government.

In 1983 the figure was only 30 per cent, 1987 it was 31 per cent and in 1992 it was 32 per cent. I wonder if Mr Quarrie complained then? I doubt it. If people cannot be honest to themselves, why should they expect politicians to be honest?

W Elliott,

Kinbrace Road, Hartlepool.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, May 16, 2005