stop digging.

"LONDON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Listeners to one of Britain's top radio shows have drawn the ire of a lawmaker who ripped them as "bastards," the Independent reported Friday.

Stephen Pound, a Labor member of Parliament, was refering to listeners of BBC Radio 4's Today program which had asked its audience what they most wanted from Parliament.

After 26,000 votes, the top desire was the right to shoot intruders in their homes -- should the life of the homeowner or his family be endangered.

Pound, who represents Ealing North, had volunteered -- before the vote was known -- to promote whatever the BBC listeners wanted most.

"My enthusiasm for democracy is slightly tempered, to be perfectly honest," said Pound. "I can't remember who it was who said, 'The people have spoken -- the bastards.'"

About 37 percent of votes cast wanted the controversial measure.

"We are going to have to re-evaluate the listenership of Radio 4," said Pound. "I would have expected this result if there had been a poll in The Sun.""