Ivor Caplin completely fails to answer the criticism made against him and his government.

The main point of the letters against him was to point out the severe damage he and his parliamentary colleagues have done to democracy.

Whatever his opinions about local peace groups, he has a duty to acknowledge the views of 1,000 Hove residents who signed the petition.

The petition was given to a policeman to hand to Caplin so he didn't even have to meet the group.

It seems ironic that, in his reply, he quotes a UN resolution setting out a democratic programme in Iraq while he seems unaware of the finer points of the democratic process.

By refusing the petition he revealed his true self to his constituents.

-Glenn Williams, Brighton