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AS Mr Wardell (HAS, May 8) raises a glass to Margaret Thatcher, I hope he remembers what she did for others: such as the three million unemployed; the thousands of businesses that were destroyed; the destruction of entire communities and industries; their replacement with service industries, that are now going overseas; massive cutbacks in the nations defences; the oppression of people's rights; the wasting of an entire generation; an increase in suicides among the young; nearly 500,000 men, women and children made homeless; the regime of fear and corruption she created; the philosophy of 'greed is good' which killed compassion; the destruction of our education and university system.

Mr Wardell may praise Mrs Thatcher, but millions hold her in contempt. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

EUROPE

IT is totally wrong to call Eurosceptics, (people who merely want Britain to govern itself) misinformers, xenophobes, negative or dishonest.

The pro-Europeans' claim to have a monopoly on honesty does not sit well with the claim that the EU constitution purports to give power to nation states when it actually indicates ever more power to a federal state. - J Heslop, Gainford.

IF we read the core words that govern all the major faiths they are similar to the following: "you should treat others as you would be treated".

The words do not say that you have to like everyone or follow a particular faith but they do mean that we should respect the dignity of all human beings.

The media is full of news of people who are not respecting the dignity of others. These grave violations of the dignity of fellow human beings continue to inflame and prolong violence in many parts of the world. The part played by the UK raises many questions about our role in Iraq and it will take time to restore a significant degree of trust in order to make progress in that troubled land.

It is worth reminding ourselves that the proposed constitution states that: "The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights".

It is also worth reminding ourselves that, although news about Iraq may continue to be on the front pages, the work of the European Union goes on. A good example of such work is the Barcelona Process, that aims to promote good relations between the EU and the countries and territories of the Mediterranean Basin.

Since the launch of this process in 1995, a new spirit of partnership has been built despite the ebb and flow of the Middle East peace process and now the Iraqi situation.

Numerous ambitious projects are being carried out to encourage co-operation across the region.

It is important that peace promoting projects such as this are kept going. We can show our support for these processes by voting in the European Parliamentary elections on June 10. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.

IRAQ

MANY have argued that the US should have "finished the job" and removed Saddam in 1991.

In his memoirs, George Bush Snr explained why he didn't: "Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the UN mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression which we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the US could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land".

It is a pity the current President Bush did not share the restraint of his father, who also said that there was "no viable exit strategy".

The proposed handover of power on June 30 does not actually hand sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. American corporations will be in charge of reconstruction, while a huge US embassy and 14 "enduring bases" housing 110,000 troops will retain control of economic, military and security policy.

Most Iraqis wanted rid of Saddam. Few believed that the US-led invasion was the way to do it, but were prepared to work with the coalition towards a new Iraq. With the appalling revelations of torture by coalition interrogators there is no hope now that goodwill can be restored.

There is now only one "exit strategy" which offers hope for the people of Iraq. That is the rapid withdrawal of all American and British forces, simultaneously replaced by a UN force, from which the original coalition members must be excluded. Endorsement of the plan by the Arab League and the Islamic Conference Organisation is also required. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

AS more information is revealed, it is clear that actions of the American forces go way beyond the unpalatable necessities of war.

America blames poor training and lack of discipline. These may be factors but I cannot help wondering what would happen if any of those undisciplined and immoral yobs who turn descent housing estates into hell holes joined up. How many would bring their nation pride and how many nothing but shame? - C MacArt, Spennymoor.

COUNCIL TAX

LOCAL income tax is the only fair way to collect local taxes. I remember years ago being very upset when, because I had put central heating in my house, I had to pay more rates out of my single income than a neighbouring family with five incomes.

What sort of system is it that punishes people for spending their money improving their property? Why, when I choose to spend my money on a nice house, should I pay more local taxes than those who choose to spend on other things?

The Government has my name, address and details on its computer and it would only take a few lines in a program to deduct the tax and send it to my local council. No one would be able to avoid paying.

The same charge could be levied everywhere, thus ending any resentment felt by those in highly-taxed areas.

All the staff employed in collecting council taxes in local councils all over Britain would be released to do other things, saving vast sums of money. All those involved in means testing people for rates rebates would also be released, resulting in further savings. It is an ideal opportunity for councils to make huge savings, or are they afraid of losing a little power to do the right thing? - T Cooper, Durham City.