REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

I AM against a regional assembly, unless the vote is subject to proportional representation.

Otherwise we are going to end up with another Labour Party junket with jobs again going to the boys.

I totally disapprove of the stranglehold the Labour Party has in this region, mainly because of the "father voted Labour so I vote Labour" mentality. In fact, a friend of mine, sadly now deceased, once said to me: "If they put a Labour rosette on the Co-op milk horse it would be elected."

Perhaps a little cynical but with a grain of truth. But unless we have a fairer system of voting, the mistakes of this and previous governments will be compounded. So please can we start the process of gaining PR in Britain? - T Foster, Newton Aycliffe.

THERE are three salient points that seem to be overlooked by the 'Yes ' campaigners for a regional assembly.

First, the fact that for years we have had several very powerful politicians representing our region, yet we still struggle for true representation and can't get our voices heard. What makes these 'Yes' people think their voices will carry more weight?

Secondly, I know my local councillor personally and can contact and visit him with my local problems, whereas my local MP is almost a total unobtainable stranger, as I suspect will be any regional representative with a too-large agenda.

And thirdly, I suspect local taxes will be peanuts compared to any regional ones and frankly we can't afford the luxury of regional Fat Cats on top of the European ones.

I await with interest further articles and agree with much of William Hague's assessment, as the 'Yes' campaigners have yet to convince me they are in it for my good and not their own. - Mrs S Harnby, Stockton-on-Tees.

SEX SHOPS

C PREST seems to have a problem with the three sex shops in Darlington. I would like to congratulate the Licensing Committee on renewing the Adults Only shops licence.

This establishment has stood on Grange Road for many years, and I hope that it stays there for many more years to come.

No doubt C Prest would also like to see Ann Summers parties outlawed as well, where groups of females get together at home, have a drink, and purchase sex toys.

These days you are more likely to find a female shopping in such establishments, than a male.

These shops are fun, and the sooner C Prest realises that sex is no longer a 'dirty word ', the better. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

COUNCIL FINANCES

YOUR correspondent WC Stockdale (HAS, Apr 5) criticises Durham County Council for withdrawing its meals on wheels subsidy.

Until last year, Bill Stockdale was a member of Derwentside District Council, which withdrew its financial support for the meals on wheels service in 2002.

All the other district councils who were partners in funding the service have also pulled out.

Mr Stockdale also criticises the county council for closing down residential homes for older people.

However, he fails to mention that the new generation of facilities with which we are replacing them are winning national awards, praise from their residents and form the very foundation of our care services for older people which were shortlisted by the Government for beacon status - the clearest possible sign that they are among the very best in the country and a model for others to follow.

He goes on to criticise our "proposals for school closures and amalgamations", again, failing to explain that we are engaged in a programme to invest more than £300m shaping schools provision in County Durham over the next ten to 15 years to ensure that we have schools of the right size in the right place and that future generations of young people receive the very best education in the very best surroundings.

His letter bears all the clear hallmarks of the joint district council campaign to break County Durham up into three separate unitary councils in the event of local government reorganisation.

It is the sort of lazy, negative approach, always criticising the opposition rather than offering positive ideas and suggestions, that has turned people off politics and is responsible for dwindling returns at the ballot box. - County Councillor John Shuttleworth, Durham County Hall.

ISLAM

I WAS amazed at certain people's condemnation of Lord Carey's remarks about Islam's resistance to modernity and also his statements on the violent authoritarian regimes of its societies.

There are few things more pathetic than criticising someone for being rational.

I know that thousands of Islamic fanatics right round the world are engaged in a medieval-style holy war against the West. These people despise everything we stand for and will not rest until our democratic way of life has been eradicated. They openly declare the intention of creating an Islamic state in Britain.

The Muslim extremists know we British are a tolerant race and will exploit this for all it's worth. There can be no place here for zealot minorities who use our own traditions to undermine us.

In a patriotic society, no immigrant would ever be permitted entry who follows a non-Christian or non-western religion. The terrorist problem will not disappear and the only solution would seem to be the redefining of what it means to be British and a lot more old-style unity.

There can, in truth, be no security until citizenship is defined by cultural values. - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

BOWLS

WE are frequently reminded that we should endeavour to keep ourselves fit, but older people are not able to play football, gymnastics or kick football but they can play bowls.

Here in Darlington, we have an excellent bowls centre where, as well as the young, older residents are able to take part and keep themselves fit.

However the bowling centre in our town does not receive any financial help from anyone and if something is not done about it soon this facility will be lost as there are limits to which such a club can maintain itself.

Is it too much to ask for some assistance from the council to help to maintain the bowling club? Surely some relief of rent would not break the bank and at least would give the bowlers some hope in a future for the club?

Surely saving a lovely centre is worth allocating a little money to - it makes more sense that spending a fortune on parking meters all over the town centre. - Jim Rishworth, Darlington.