WE are told repeatedly we live in a democracy – really?

A typical example challenging this so-called claim to democracy was Thursday’s local elections, Brexit being named as the reason for voters’ rejections of both Tory and Labour parties. It on fact was the electorates mistrust of these parties’ detached attitude.

This was illustrated in the 2005 general election with only 39 per cent of the votes for the victorious party. Conversely, 61 per cent voted otherwise.

Italy had a proportional representation voting system, resulting in all having their say, but faced five changes in government in three years.

The last UK snap election, with little to no weary appetite from the weary electorate, cost the taxpayer £35million resulting in failed objectives all round, with the PM saying she now regrets calling it.

Similarly in the referendum, 52 per cent voted to leave the EU and 48 per cent voted to remain. What reassurance have the 48 per cent who voted to remain had? Constantly the PM and Breexiteers have said " The people have voted", never referring to the 16.17million who didn't vote to leave the EU.

What David Cameron should have done was to send a business, not political, delegation to Brussels prior to the referendum to assess the pros and cons of leaving and remaining and publish the findings to the electorate.

For those who voted to leave, did they really vote for this 11th hour shambolic state of affair over 1,000 days later, only now realising the impact now coming to light?

We were never alerted of these consequences either way prior to the referendum.

We have 620 UK members of Parliament , about five per cent of whom reach notoriety for all the wrong reasons, while the remaining 95 per cent or 487 members appear capable of representing faithfully their constituents year in year out, apparently devoid of serious misconduct.

Our prime minister was not dragged screaming and kicking in protest to number 10, but most of us wouldn't have her job for all the tea in China. Ten minutes with her cabinet must feel like 10 hours with an angry crowd.

This situation degenerates down to local politics, where planning decisions and their consequences appear to be ignored or dismissed time and time again, leaving concerned residents and taxpayers blighted with the collateral fallout.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made a truly inspiring pledge at his Gettysburg Address: “A government of the people, by the people, for the people”. Sadly, 155 years later, this vision has now degenerated into "a government of the party, by the party, for the party ", with prominent politicians refusing to answer or side stepping difficult questions, being economical with the truth and being unable to say what they mean or mean what they say, treating the electorate with contempt and conveniently ignoring that their livelihood is funded by Joe public.

Here's the litmus test based on politicians, national and local governments’ past performance:-Would you admit to being one of their relatives or would you consider buying from them their second hand car?

ALAN TAYLOR

Pond Head, Holt