ISN'T it sad that on the day George Osborne made his keynote speech to conference, a much-needed dose of reality which was long overdue, David Cameron chose the same day to announce that his government would repeal the Hunting Act within days of coming to power?

I have to admit to being a bit naive on this subject. I was beginning to think it couldn't be done. Public opinion would not allow it. Labour MPs would filibuster, read the phone book during debates, just as the Tories had done, until it ran out of time.

But none of it, they will waste no time forcing the repeal through, using the guillotine if necessary.

Another measure which seems to have gone largely unnoticed is the reduction by 10 per cent in the number of MPs.

On the face of it this sounds like a good idea, except that it requires another round of boundary changes.

If there are to be 10 per cent fewer MPs, then it follows that constituencies will be 10 per cent larger. No mention of fair votes here, you understand.

The Conservative vote is thinly spread while the Labour vote is concentrated in built-up areas. Cameron's boundary changes make it easier for the Tories to win. Brown's alternative voting system makes it easier for Labour to win.

Wouldn't you rather have democracy instead?

G R Holwill

Stoke Hill Crescent, Exeter