09/05/03

The local Labour Party might be wondering where they went wrong. Just a little reminder for them.

The Durham County Council computer scandal: the scheme cost £174,175 to set up, £104,635 a year to run.

Then the Gala Theatre with debts of £700,000, and also the interest-free loan of £75,000.

The people of Durham are now paying the price. Every household is paying £4.16 on their council tax a year.

The good people of Durham have spoken. It is the start of a new era. Let it be a warning to whoever is in power. The people vote you in. They also vote you out. - DT Murray, Coxhoe.

THE report by Chris Lloyd (Echo, May 3) on the election results in Stockton correctly makes the point that the real upset for the Labour Party was from the Thornaby Independents.

It was because the people of Thornaby felt that they had been insulted and not listened to. Examples I know of include the idea that the railway station should be renamed Stockton South and that the new college located in Thornaby was not called the Thornaby College.

Chris Lloyd also points out that the same defection from Labour could happen at the next local election in Billingham. There is much opposition to the proposals of the Billingham Partnership and this could easily translate into a campaign from Bilingham Independents.

What needs to be added is that because the ward boundary changes in Stockton have been delayed there could be another election in Stockton in two years. These changes would, I think, favour the Conservatives because at the moment areas which probably would support the Conservatives are under-represented.

Much will depend on the Stockton Cabinet's ability to mend bridges with Thornaby and avoid antagonising the people of Billingham. - Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

SCOTTISH INFLUENCE

I WAS disappointed to read the narrow-minded, insecure and bigoted remarks regarding 'Scottishness'.

I am Scottish, but I'm also proud to be British. I dread to think what comments are made about other 'minorities'.

I can also only presume that these people haven't been to Scotland recently and heard the English-speaking presenters on Scottish television. - F Rolfe, Crook.

JUST a thought about Scottish influence. We hear and see a great deal about how proud Scottish people are to be a nation once again and I can only agree wholeheartedly with their sentiments.

Our culture, beliefs, dress etc are wonderful, but just to touch on the most visible aspect, the dress, ie the kilts.

There are so many wonderful, bright, swirling colours every Burns Night and sporting contest when they are out in force.

Why then, may I ask, are they not worn as everyday clothing?

So come on you Scots, be like Sean Connery and wear you kilt with pride. - Peter Brown, Trimdon Village.

IRAQ

IN the midst of debates about what happens in Iraq now that the war is over, one thing seems to have slipped off the agenda yet again.

Back in December the UN General Assembly recommended that human rights monitors should be deployed with immediate effect - something that Amnesty International was firmly behind with our long-standing concerns for the human rights of the people of Iraq. It didn't happen then and it's still not happening now.

In a period of continued instability, human rights monitors would play a critical role both in preventing human rights abuse and investigating abuses by all. They would provide real, visible proof that the human rights of the Iraqi people are at the centre of international concern. This must be resolved urgently if there is to be a positive impact for the people of Iraq.

The Darlington group of Amnesty International is holding an awareness-raising event on High Row on Saturday, May 17 between 10am and 2pm when we will be offering people the opportunity to take action in support of the above concerns. - Toni Carr, Secretary, Darlington Group of Amnesty International.

THE Rev John Stephenson suggests that war is wrong in itself and that the one against Iraq was un-Christian (HAS, May 3).

I would therefore remind him of Jesus's words: "I come not to bring peace but a sword."

I would further remind the Rev Stephenson of Jesus's overriding commitment to the protection of those he called 'my little ones' - children and other vulnerable people - and that the former Iraqi regime had a hideous track record of abusing such people.

It follows, as far as I am concerned, that Jesus would have approved of the war in Iraq and that, in going in there, the Coalition was doing God's work. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

I THINK that it is time something was done about those TA soldiers who were embodied for the Iraq War. This war is now over and yet they are still retaining these men and women overseas. They should be returned to their civilian occupations forthwith. It must be remembered that these people have their full-time civilian occupation to consider. Whilst they have willingly supported the regular army on active service, it is not their bread and butter for the future. Employers who have willingly co-operated will become increasingly concerned if their employees' return is needlessly delayed.

There may be many TA members who will welcome an extended period in the colours, many others will want to pick up the reins of their careers. They should be allowed to do so, without further delay. Poor treatment will have a serious effect upon the recruitment and retention of TA personnel. - Allan Temke, Darlington.