I READ Peter Grant's Inferno column every week.

Not only is he is fine journalist but a man with the ability to look at life with candour, humour and curiosity.

If we ever met, say in a smoky bar, I would ask him a question: "Do you think we will ever live in a democracy?" 

The nearest we have been to a democracy was in the 10th Century.

The Anglo-Saxon kings would offer themselves for election as king. The principle was there.

After the Norman invasion in 1066, William I introduced the pyramidical system which we sadly are still enforced to live under.

I would be interested know what Peter thinks, especially as the Labour Party leadership contest is about to begin.

C J Calverley, Bebington.