SIR – D S Boyes (T&A, January 3) rightly, in my view, suggests that the voting age should be increased from 18 to 21, rather than considering a reduction to 16.

In a similar vein, there are simply too many career politicians in Parliament who have never done a proper job in their lives, and consequently have no idea as to just what it is like in the real world.

The Miliband brothers, and the thankfully long-gone Shipley MP Christopher Leslie, come to mind, but there are many others across the parties.

Perhaps if, like America, candidates had to be somewhat older, and have experience in working outside the world of politics, then maybe we would get better and more rounded representatives?

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon, Shipley