Prisoners' votes

THE EU has yet again ordered the UK to grant electoral voting rights to prisoners, this time stipulating compliance before the next election (your report, 9 March).

People who offend so seriously against society as to be excluded from it for purposes of punishment and protection of the public should automatically forfeit all rights enjoyed by the law-abiding.

However, having ceded most of our law-making to the EU, that would place our government in obvious breach of EU legislation, a situation which would threaten undesirable repercussions for the country. This might take the form of a fine, for instance, in which event taxpayers should not be liable for payment.

MPs – indeed all in public office, such as local councillors – should be held responsible for their own irresponsible decisions and required to obtain at their own expense personal insurance against these leading to financial penalty.

ROBERT DOW

Ormiston Road

Tranent