Letter: Vote, Vince

Among the adjectives applied to Vince Cable's possible intention to abstain in the vote on tuition fees (your report, 1 December) one is conspicuous by absence: arrogant. Elected members of any parliament have only one function; to make decisions on behalf of the electorate.

Debate is only a precursor to such decisions, its function - at least nominally - being to focus competing arguments towards reaching the most appropriate decision.

Arriving at decisions on our behalf should of course involve seeking our views, rather than following personal or party preference.

East Lothian MP Fiona O'Donnell has set up a website for constituents to offer their views on the possible alteration of the annual change in clock timing, prior to this being debated. This is real democracy in action

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent, East Lothian