It was with a deepening sense of gloom and depression that I read your book Margo. I hasten to add that this was not reflective of the treatment of the subject matter or the quality of your writing, rather it was for the reason that is obvious from the title of my review.

I fear that only people like myself and others of a similarly 'liberal' persuasion would bother to read it and thus would not be aware of the fact that their democracy is being corrupted by those who profess to be its most ardent practitoners.

Although I was heartened to read articles from those who are from the 'right', I am yet to be convinced that those voters who do not take a strong interest in the electoral process can be mobilised against the party machines at work.

I fear that the level of effective public debate is such that if anything, the government's appalling actions will be put under the category of: 'They're politicians...what do you expect?'