I thought that putting people in prison included curtailing some of their rights, such as the right to vote. Considering granting inmates the right to vote, especially in closely fought elections as we have on our islands, would expose our democratic process to possible blackmail.

Such pressure could be brought to bear by the inmates and their relatives and friends, as well as ‘crime associations’ with ‘honest members’ fronting for the masterminds and law-breaking operatives.

In view of this I would tend to share the call being made by the UK’s centre-right Policy Exchange think-tank which is calling for the UK to open negotiations as regards sentences passed by the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights. I am sure this has nothing to do with the UK wanting to keep back from the European continent’s influence but more with safeguarding its society from crippling impositions.

This call comes as the UK Government is wrestling with a ruling from the Strasbourg court that prisoners must be granted the vote.

The highly controversial issue will come to a head in the House of Commons where MPs will debate and vote on the issue.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that giving prisoners the right to vote makes him feel “physically ill” but the government must act or it will face compensation claims from inmates adding up to more than £100 million.

I think the media have a duty to not mislead readers and voters by concentrating too much on events which might only marginally affect us while at the same time giving scant cover to developments which might sway the way our islands are governed.

■ G. Bonett

Marsalforn