I WAS saddened when reviewing the recent borough council election results to see that turnout appeared to be 20-35 per cent.

We can moan and write letters about how upset we are with the services we receive, from the lack of ‘fairy lights’ to the state of our roads and street lighting.

Then there is the lack of police on the streets, the state of the NHS and the treatment of pensioners by the state.

But, my friends, I must remind you we live in a democracy.

We have the privilege of changing the world we live in, but this cannot be done by whining!

It can only be done by action and the best way for you or I to force change is to use our democratic right.

By not doing so you roll over and allow the things you are against to happen.

Remember our country, our county, our streets belong to us, as do our votes.

Change happens by our decision or indecision.

To abstain is a choice but to not turn up at all makes negative opinion a farce.

W Conroy, Weymouth