I applaud every word of Neal Lawson’s piece (Caroline Lucas was the best PM Britain never had – but she’s shown us how to fix our politics, 9 June). I had the pleasure of meeting Caroline Lucas when I chaired an address she gave to the Quaker Socialist Society several years ago. One of the strongest elements of her political career is that she took up the tools and instruments that women and men fought for, even died for, over many years: the right to vote but also the right to be elected, and from this, the right to shape the laws and conduct of a country, and to bring about true equality and democracy through strong legislation.
I understand why people choose to demonstrate, to form pressure groups, to campaign through social media. Yet, election to office is surely the wise way to change the world, with the tools bequeathed to us by the brave of the past. To abolish slavery, to gain votes for women, to outlaw racial prejudice or disrespect for homosexuality, the sure and final step is to legislate. As one who has modestly stood for and sometimes gained office, may I beg all those who seek to change life for the better to at least consider candidacy. It is your own personal and valuable bequest.
Ian Flintoff
Former parliamentary candidate and borough councillor, Oxford
