Sir, While, as John Osler says, we will in effect be electing a government, the direct purpose of a general election is to elect MPs to represent each of us in Parliament (“Exclude Nick Clegg”, letter, Sept 4). That the Liberal Democrats will be contesting every seat in which Conservative and Labour candidates will also be standing, the significant proportion of constituencies (about 10 per cent) currently represented by a Lib Dem MP and that nearly one voter in four voted Lib Dem at the last election, these are reasons enough for the party to be represented in the debate.
There are further, practical reasons why Nick Clegg’s inclusion would be desirable. A third voice would present an alternative and a challenge to the views of Messrs Brown and Cameron, helping viewers to contextualise their answers and develop better-informed opinions on the views of the two largest parties. Moreover, it is not inconcievable that the Liberal Democrats could hold the balance of power after the next election. In such circumstances, the electorate should hear what Mr Clegg has to say and how Lib Dem policies might influence the next government.
Neil Cole
London SE2