I was genuinely delighted to read that Hamna Qureshi, an 18-year old A-level student from Pakistan, has been selected to stand as a candidate in the May council elections in Merton.

Obviously I wish her every success in her new political career. I believe she represents a breath of fresh air, and also a genuine voice for many young people in our community.

Really, the whole idea of a teenager becoming a politician in our post-Olympics London is just plain inspiring.

It is because of politicians like Hamna that I never get cynical about the quality of political representation in Britain.

If I had my way the voting age would be reduced. At present school leavers are considered old enough to die for their country in ill-considered foreign wars but not old enough to vote for the politicians who send them there.

That's just not a just system and is probably the reason why some stupid wars are ever fought.

Harold Wilson kept my generation out of the Vietnam war, which is why I'm still alive. Sadly it seems that the young people of Britain today do not have a Harold Wilson to protect them. Recently Ed had a hard job preventing a British confrontation with Russia.

Harold isn't the only one of my political heroes (which includes Boris). My own involvement with the Labour Party began when my partner was very ill in St Helier hospital, and I therefore was able to witness the really inspiring work of Siobhain McDonagh, our local Labour MP, as she went about her routine constituency work in the hospital.

I was immediately impressed not just by her warmth and understanding, but also by the way that the doctors, nurses and patients all absolutely adored her. And so do I.

Ed is right to call it "One Nation Britain". Meanwhile, I wish Hamna the very best of luck with her exams.

Michael Barltrop, via email

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