SIR – The British people need to have more say in the running of the country. Politicians have got too many things wrong, too many times.

Often one, or just a few, make an incompetent decision which could cost the country dear for years, such as wars.

Checks and balances are needed in the form of referenda.

Abraham Lincoln used to say: “Trust the people”, but the lesser fry in Parliament think differently.

We would need none of the cuts we’re now facing if the vast majority had their way years ago. I propose we should: l Get out troops out of Afghanistan – now!

l Get out of the European Union. This blood-sucking, white elephant gravy train gets £48 million from the UK every day.

l We could make our own laws, and it would end the lawyers’ friend, the Human Rights Act.

l End 90 per cent of immigration – now! Give our workers a fair chance.

l Stiffer sentences on crime that affects the proletariat – burglary, muggings etc.

“Democracy ends the minute your vote is cast” – a vote every five years is not enough.

Craig Westwood, Ashbourne Drive, Bradford