So apathy was the big winner again in yet another vote? ('Voters say: No', Times, December 13).

It comes as little surprise to hear that attitudes to politics have not changed since either the General or European elections.

Harrow Council should be applauded for managing to persuade as many as 23,554 electors to turn out at all, particularly for something as inconsequential as deciding on whether we should have a directly elected mayor or a leader and cabinet system, as is the norm across most of London.

After all, how many times do we hear of residents complaining about how their views have been ignored in planning matters, etc, or protesting against service cuts which go ahead anyway.

On the few occasions when councils make an informed choice on behalf of residents, as with major planning developments such as Terminal 5, our views are generally ignored by the government.

It is little wonder that the average Joe has now decided to become apathetic. Perhaps, in a way, their silence speaks more than any amount of voting could do. But at what cost?

While I cannot pretend to support any political party, I find myself having to agree with Tory leader, Cllr John Cowan, who rues the expenditure of close to £150,000 on promoting the referendum, money which could have paid for more teachers or social workers.

M Smith

Rayners Lane

Harrow