WHILE rejoicing in the success of Devizes Guardians in the recent by-election, I am worried and disappointed at the appallingly low turnout of 22 per cent.

I am sure this concern is shared by all parties involved in the poll, especially as it is apparent that the vast majority of those who voted were in the older age bracket, who still see voting as a civic duty and a privilege.

One of the reasons I belong to Devizes Guardians is that I believe in democracy.

It may not be the perfect system, but it is the best we've got, and we abuse it at our peril.

I would like to drag those apathetic non-voters to countries such as South Africa, where people queued for days to vote, or to Zimbabwe, where voters risked their lives to exercise their democratic right.

Or they might like to look to the USA where apathy, as much as sharp practice, has made it possible for someone such as George W Bush to become the most powerful man in the world.

We get the politicians we deserve. In this case, the East ward is lucky in getting Tony Duck, a councillor who has the interests of Devizes at heart, rather than those of a political party.

Naturally, he will represent everyone in the ward, whether or not they bothered to vote.

But how much better it would be if he, and other successful candidates, were endorsed wholeheartedly by a majority of the electorate, especially its younger members.

I suggest that a large part of the remit of all parties, between now and next May's local elections, should be to tackle voter apathy.

There are many ways of doing this, but one of the most effective would be for all of us to mount a joint approach of publicising democratic rights and responsibilities.

People died for these privileges. They were hard-won because they made a difference to everyone's lives. They could do so again.

JUDY ROSE

Avon Road

Devizes