Provide helicopters for our rural MPs

Sir, The MPs Brendan O’Hara and Ian Blackford are right to draw attention to the geographical problems arising from the proposed changes to parliamentary constituencies in western and northern Scotland ( The Oban

Times, October 27). There is, however, a need to recognise that electors need representation, not over- or under-representation, and low population density brings its problems, particularly given the topography and its control over landbased travel.

After all, residents of Glasgow might feel unhappy if their MP represented 80,000, while those of the Highlands each represented much fewer, unless, perhaps, the ocean intervenes.

For the Highlands, as significant an issue besides time spent travelling the constituencies is that individuals may have limited access to their MPs in the event that they wish to raise personal problems.

This, itself, might be considered as a serious limitation on fair representation. Exacerbating the issue is that limited broadband in the Highlands and Islands can often preclude use of the internet as a means of face-to-face consultation.

Given the multiple geographical problems, it might be considered reasonable that MPs with geographically extensive constituencies such Argyll and Bute be provided with helicopter transport to serve their widely dispersed constituents.

Ian Reid, Ardconnel Road, Oban.