5 SEPTEMBER 1931, Page 16

THE GUILDFORD ELECTION [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Stopford

Brooke's fine withdrawal from the contest at the Guildford Election is, I think, an illustration worth remark of the purely negative character of an elector's vote. Unless there is an opponent, the elector cannot use his vote. A vote, as a matter of fact, is really a veto against the other fellow. The power of veto is all that is required to ensure that Government is not against the consent of the governed, and thus to promote the element of stability and permanence of the State. This is the utmost—and it is a quite invaluable service—that the democratic element in government can supply. To ask more of democracy is about as wise as to ask an elephant to play the violin.—I am, Sir, &c.,