After watching the horrific pictures of the Labour MP for Wansdyke, Dan Norris, being pelted by eggs and marched out of the village of Badminton, (ITV1 West, Thursday, February 17) I think it's a very sad day for democracy here in Great Britain.

Being able to have freedom of speech and legal protests has helped to make this country what it is today, but to prevent anybody from taking part in a live TV debate because he or she has opposing views to that of so many residents of the village was just appalling.

I can understand that people's feelings were running high but the small number of individuals who pushed, shoved and almost frogmarched the Member of Parliament out of Badminton have done their cause no good at-all. In fact, I believe it's done quite a lot of harm in their fight of trying to convince voters with little or no opinion on hunting with hounds.

As a floating voter, I believe I have the right to hear both sides of an argument, so I can look at the facts, see the evidence and then make up my own mind in time for the ballet box.

There wasn't a lot of sympathy from the MP for North Wiltshire James Gray and to make matters worse having the joint master of the Beaufort Hunt, Ian Farquhar claiming on television that "he asked for the odd egg" has just made up my mind that these people have no respect for the law and freedom of speech.

In the wake of that, as soon as the general election is called, I shall pop down to my local supermarket and buy an extra half dozen eggs for any hunt supporting potential Member of Parliament wanting to express his or her views at my front door.

Of course, I'll give them the choice of whether they want their egg poached, scrambled or sunny side up or just to leave quietly.

If only I thought of this idea when the council voted to knock down Golddiggers.

But that's for another debate.

A Henly

Chippenham