A GOOD New Year resolution for our political leaders would be 'I will say less, listen more and pay heed to what people say'.

The year 2001 has been a year in which politicians have accused the voting public of being apathetic, as the numbers of people turning out to vote in both national and local elections has reached an all time low.

While voting can be made easier by giving everyone a postal vote, the real problem is that people have become disenchanted with politicians not politics. Politicians are seen as having failed to deliver what the public expect.

When politicians begin to be seen to be responding to public opinion, instead of ignoring it, the public will turn out in increasing numbers.

Ray Johnson, Ribbleton, Preston.