HOME Secretary Jack Straw's suggestion that parliamentary candidates' deposits should be increased is a totally retrograde step.

Although the cranks and no-hopers may have as little chance as snow on the blazing desert sands of becoming MPs, they should still have the right to seek the votes of those who wish to support them.

It is a 'price-me-out' ruse against democracy.

These characters are a colourful aspect of general elections, maybe causing a smile and possibly with nobody taking them seriously.

They never appear among the winning candidates but most catch the eye, a classic example being Screaming Lord Sutch, sadly deceased.

I can remember him but know few of the little-known and often boring back-benchers who have had the back-up of the heavyweight parties who helped them get to the Commons.

K SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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