The Right Honourable Hugo Swire MP, has a personal noticeboard outside the Conservative Association, which merits our attention. Its location is no threat to health or safety. The vitality of our democracy depends upon our paying attention to the way our MP relates to his constituency.

At present, for example, his noticeboard advises us that Mr Swire has been demonstrating outside 10 Downing Street on behalf of local dairy farmers, and that he has lobbied the Home Office to grant visas to Filipino care workers. He has been talking to David Miliband about foreign policy apparently.

His noticeboard also invites us to an event on November 15, entitled ‘Call My Bluff’. I think he is trying to tell us something.

Robert Crick

Glenisla Terrace, Sidmouth