Battle for centre

Can’t the parties’ “Battle for the centre” (Perspective, 15 April) be viewed from the perspective of the power of the market economy? All of the parties present policies which don’t purport to radically change the economic and social system.

Interestingly, it can be suggested that in a free market system political parties are like economic entrepreneurs.

Instead of competition for economic goods there is competition for political goods, namely the electors’ votes.

It seems in the present 
campaign the “marketisation of democracy” is reaching a new height.

Arguably, it is conceivable an extreme marketisation of democracy to gain power could backfire and be rejected by many voters.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie