COULD I thank your two contributors, Gordon Bennetti and Susan Davis (SNJ July 19) for responding to my question as to why so many people voted for Neil Carmichael at the General Election.

I say responded to it because they actually offer no answers, presumably because they are too embarrassed.

To Gordon I would like to say, I am not and never have been a Stroud Labour activist and have never been a member of any political party.

As he knows full well I was simply trying to understand why so many people think the situation in this country is so good for everyone they want it to continue.

Who better to ask than those who support the politicians who created the mess.

His letter is headed “A proud Tory” but he isn’t prepared to tell us what is so good that he supports its continuation and makes him proud.

It is interesting I think that he tells us of his writing to David Drew and getting not only a reply but an answer to his question.

I asked many questions of Neil Carmichael during his time in “office” but never once had them answered.

If I had a response at all it was what he had been told to say by ‘Central Office.

To Susan, it was not my intention to “fire a cheap shot” at anyone and to be frank I don’t think I have.

However, if she thinks that “Mr Carmichael will be used to such spiteful sneers” it must be because he gets so many of them and what I said about his “achievements” is true.

That is the reason for my writing; I was wanting someone to tell us of all the things he achieved so those of us with a bad memory can be sure we don’t forget again.

As to suggesting that I am arrogant because I ask what it is about the current state of this country that many people want it to continue is ludicrous.

Was Gina Miller arrogant for taking the Prime Minister to the High Court because she thought she could ignore her own MPs?

Looks like it was the PM who was arrogant.

Was the Daily Mail arrogant for calling the judiciary “the enemies of the people”?

Heaven forbid we should have some democracy in this country.

As Susan says, of course “it’s the right of everyone to vote as they please” but what are they so shy about that they won’t tell us what they are thinking when they make that cross on the ballot paper?

As regards peoples perception of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership qualities, unfortunately, so many of them will be readers of trash like the Daily Mail and The Sun.

Believe it or not, sometimes, they come out with fake news and alternative facts.

Howard Price

Nailsworth