Listening post

It was encouraging to read the letter from Lynn Pilkington (2 January), a 23-year-old woman who echoed Allan Massie’s argument (Perspective, 1 January) about large sections of society being politically apathetic.

I find that if you share your own political views with people who claim they are not interested in politics, they are less likely to engage in the discussion – particularly as they will be braced for an unasked-for lecture.

But if you ask them what they think about specific issues, they will start talking at length before realising they are involved in a political discussion.

ANGELA INNES

Dundas Street

Edinburgh