18/01/05

Although this 'crisis' pales into relative global insignificance in comparison with the recent tsunami disaster of the Asian continent, it is no less real to our communities affected by the breakdown of electricity supply.

After waking to a morning without heat, light, TV, radio, cooker, freezer, computer, microwave, kettle etc, the list in our modern, high-tech driven western world could be considerably longer and wider reaching.

Of course, there is much we can do to prepare for any future break in electricity supply. I have already restocked with batteries, gas heaters, lamps; cooking facilities are next on my 'to do' list. We are so lucky to live where we have a greater chance or survival.

This awareness should make our contributions to efforts for the tsunami survivors easier and more generous to help towards some recovery. - Sue Lowe, Richmond.

POLITICS

I HAD few political thoughts until certain thoughtless union leaders gave Margaret Thatcher her easy passage to become Prime Minister.

Even-handed Conservatism was killed off. John Major tried in vain to revive it, but the party retained its identity.

No so, however, with Labour. When Tony Blair became party leader following the death of John Smith, the party name was re-packaged like some old brand of washing powder and became New Labour.

Now, after eight years of this 'shiny new brand' government, it has been found not to wash whiter than white, but darker than dark.

It has presided over chaos and disorder, bans on this and that and an unjustified war.

Cabinet agreement on policy has been replaced with policy brought about by unelected advisors.

Who the devil cares about the outcome of the Blair-Brown rift? Let us be rid of all of them.

At least with the Conservatives you get what you see and expect.

They hide not behind a false new name full of pretence. - GH Grieveson, Richmond.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

TRACEY Walker (HAS, Jan 8) asked: "how can councils get away with it", referring to councils making decisions against residents' wishes which have been made very clear to them?

If a political party has a large majority, most of the councillors being Labour in this part of the world, then what they want to happen, will happen.

Here where I live, a BMX track was suggested for the estate. Almost 300 said no and 160 said yes.

Approval was given, despite the fact that virtually no consultation had taken place, not even in the immediate area of the proposed site.

Our Independent councillor did not agree with this and called the decision in for scrutiny, as the site is already well known for anti-social behaviour.

The scrutiny panel is made up almost entirely of Labour councillors, so there was no way that they were going to disagree with a decision made by one of their own.

The only way to change situations like this is to even up the balance in the council chamber and we can do this via the ballot box next time round. - B Handley, Middlesbrough.

PARKING

I HAVE multiple sclerosis and am not very mobile, so it is quite helpful to have my Motability car, which is normally kept on the street near my front door. This house does not have a drive.

The problem for me is the thought that, if I go out in the car, I will return to find the parking space taken by someone else. I would then be obliged to park elsewhere and stagger unsteadily to my door.

Is this not a case for residents' parking? I would have thought so, but Darlington Council seems to view the matter differently.

In 1994, I asked the council for a disabled parking bay outside my home. The council said no, because anyone could use that bay, not just me. What was needed was residents' parking and they were on the case.

Since then, despite numerous approaches to councillors and officials, nothing has happened. I think the council may be waiting for me to die and so solve the problem that way. I view with scepticism any claim by this authority to be user friendly. - Geoffrey J Taylor, Darlington.

PETER MULLEN

ISN'T Hugh Pender (HAS, Jan 14) going a bit over the top with his criticism of Peter Mullen?

I have a mental picture of Mr Mullen's critics circling like vultures waiting for his next 'rant' and then descending to partake in a feeding frenzy.

Peter Mullen's critics should try to be less insulting and realise that he is providing welcome stimulation to your grey matter. - D Brearley, Middlesbrough.

EDUCATION

SOME people may ask why the Tomlinson report on secondary education recommends that we should replace the current examinations with a diploma.

The answer is that current examinations are not working well for students and society as a whole.

Take the case of three A-level students all with A grade passes where a university or employer has to select one of them. It might be said that any one of them would be suitable, but consider the following statements. Student X has completed the course with little help and has demonstrated the ability to study in greater depth. Student Y completed the course with a degree of help and with assistance would benefit from further study. Z has completed the course with considerable help and has gained a sound basic understanding of the subject. Teachers have always collected the evidence to make such statements.

Opponents say that such judgements are subjective and depend upon relationships with the student. This is an attack on the professionalism of teachers. Where these assessments are made they are subject to external moderation enabling standards across the educational system to be maintained.

When teacher set, externally approved, teacher assessed, externally moderated examinations were in existence it was found that some teachers were hard on their students. Moderators had to adjust student grade upwards. The precautionary approach of these teachers far outweighed teachers who were lenient in their assessments.

We should welcome a White Paper adopting the Tomlinson report in full. The change would take some years to complete but the enduring investment in young people and the nation as a whole would bring about significant ongoing improvements to all our lives.

Implementation of the Tomlinson report in full would considerably reduce the cost of the examination system, which is currently about £700m a year. The money freed could be used more constructively within the education service. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.