TO THE POINT

IT is gratifying finally to see a senior Tory calling for the
legalisation of cannabis. Especially so as it is less than a year since
Ann Widdecombe showed how out of touch some of their front bench was
when she called for zero tolerance. Between now and the next general
election the Tories will have time to properly review the evidence and
realise what a social disaster cannabis prohibition has been. Poll after
poll has shown that the British public of all ages are against current
policy, while polls of the young show strong support for full
legalisation. These younger people are the very same people who are
least likely to have voted in the election. The fact that none of the
main parties proposed changing the cannabis law was not the only reason
that so many young people didn't vote - but it certainly didn't help.

Hugh Robertson, Norwich