I would like to pay tribute to your editorial team for the success of your letters pages in all your papers.

After you printed my letter, Wake up and Rescue Abingdon (Oxford Mail, January 7), the letters column was a talking point in many pubs and clubs in the town.

At last year's local elections, 58 per cent of the electorate never bothered to vote, because they could not see what difference it would make.

I was told many times, by young and older people, that the politicians, once in power, do what they want, no matter what people think or say.

Now I am being told, on the street and by friends, that it is time for a complete rethink about local party politics, and time to 'delete the party' and all contacts with Westminster from local, everyday politics.

Restoring confidence and making the people feel included once more might need a miracle.

But people are looking for a voice and an influence in what happens around them and to them at domestic level.

One option might be to contest every seat at the next local elections by putting forward a People's Voice candidate.

This would mean no party, no whip.

A candidate who would be free to speak for, and represent, the people every time and at every meeting - that is, true democracy.

This might take a little time, but meanwhile, we still have our own avenue to voice our opinion on important issues in the letters pages of our local paper.

MAURICE SHEA Hadland Road Abingdon