Sir,

It was with some amusement that I read your account of how David Davies was selected to be the next Conservative Parliamentary candidate.

The vote was unanimous and held by secret ballot but there was only one candidate.

What did the ballot paper look like? Were there instructions of where the executive committee were to put their cross? Were there any spoilt ballot papers?

Was a polling booth erected to ensure privacy when they made their mark? Were there any abstensions? How long did the count take?

I was then amazed that Mr Davies made a victory speech in which he said he was not in any way complacent about the result. Come on. Was he really worried that he may lose an election in which he was the only candidate?

It is the funniest story since Yes Minister.

Bob Hayward

(Monmouth)