24 NOVEMBER 1967, Page 39

Pouring oil on placid waters

Sir: Miss Enid Lakeman (20 October) may like to be reminded of a suggestion made a good many years ago by (I think) Dr W. R. Matthews and (I think) in your columns which would allow disgruntled voters to express their disapproval of the available candidates. In each election an imaginary candidate, Mr X, would appear on the voting papers. Those who were not satisfied with the real candidates, or 'their policies, would vote for Mr X. This would enable the main political parties to know the degree of contempt in which they were held.

Mr X might even win, but the loss to the majority of the electors would be small, if they ex- pected nothing from the ruling political parties.

M. Hepper

Lismoyle Cottage, Wittersham, Tenterden, Kent