The most common explanation for the alarming drop in the number of us bothering to vote is the general hostility we show towards politicians.

Along with journalists, they are regularly bottom of the list when it comes to public esteem.

While we must accept these findings of the opinion polls, I have often wondered whether it provides a complete explanation of the public's indifference to voting, despite its importance.

A recent survey of how wealthy we are seems to support me in my doubt.

The National Institute of Economic and Social research recently claimed that wealth in Britain has reached record levels with an average adult now worth £82,400, even after allowing for borrowing.

Because of this, the chief economist of the Halifax, Martin Ellis, claimed, "People are far more confident. The last year has seen rapidly rising property and share values which have produced a certain feelgood factor and a sense of goodwill."

No doubt any elderly, lone pensioner dependent on benefits will not be convinced by this and a great deal of wealth discrepancy is masked by the term "average".

For the rest of us, perhaps complacency also plays a big part at election time.

However, it does reinforce that well-known saying of President Clinton - when asked what was the secret of electoral success, he replied: "The economy, stupid", and certainly the economy in Britain at the moment is remarkably strong and resilient.

-RG Jenkins, Hove