I note David Lepper claims to receive more correspondence on the "need" for a ban on hunting with dogs than any other issue (November 6). I find that rather difficult to believe.

It must have been weeks and weeks since I last recall being unable to get through the Old Steine because of a hunt in progress but I don't underestimate the importance a minority of people attach to the issue.

What I question is why so few people, according to Mr Lepper, seem to be concerned enough about the state of our city to actually write to him.

Either they feel it will make no difference or they don't know where to contact him.

Mr Lepper can be contacted at The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

There can therefore be no excuse why he should not get to hear what I hear all the time from fellow residents - namely that our streets are full of uncollected rubbish and graffiti, our health service seems to be in terminal decline, poverty and destitution in Brighton and Hove are at third-world levels and business in the city despairs of over-regulation and bureaucracy.

Perhaps he could act to deal with some of his electors' priorities rather than his own.

-David Gold, Brighton Pavilion Conservative Executive Council