Coercion is so signal a characteristic of tyranny that it might almost be taken as a definition. Yet how often do we hear people of otherwise moderate views demanding that on some particular point there can be no possible discussion?

Gavin Aitchison (Column, The Press, May 14) believes passionately we all have a democratic duty to vote. Consequently we should all be forced to troop behind him to the polling booth and the stubby lead pencil.

Yet abstention is a right compatible with democracy. MPs abstain from time to time, and are respected for it. The boycott, that it to say organised abstention, has been used politically and effectively in many cases. It is significant that our Parliamentarians, who have steadily opposed electoral reform, are keenest to see a large turn-out.

There are other ways of expressing one’s belief in democracy, are there not? One might take errant councils to court, present petitions, respond to invitations to present evidence to public inquiries and be ready to denounce local injustice.

Equally ineffective, maybe, but how can this be construed as apathy? Might not those whose contribution to democracy consists of no more than a periodic stroll to the polling station be more justly accused of apathy?

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.