Hear All Sides

JO MOORE

I DON'T know where Jim Tague (HAS, Nov 6) gets his details about the professional lives of Stephen Byers and Jo Moore.

What I do know is that Stephen Byers unhesitatingly put his job, his career and his reputation on the line to help a vulnerable colleague. That counts for a hell of a lot in my book.

As to the question of stress in regard to Jo Moore: if she does indeed work a three-day week it will be on account of being a single mum with a small child to look after. Lifestyles don't come much more stressful than that.

Regarding the origin of the furore, it was a simple error of judgement that any of us could have made in like circumstances and, as such, entirely excusable - which is more than can be said for the scurrilities that were hurled at her in the aftermath. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

ELECTED MAYOR

NO wonder the Tories and local cobbler are urging people to vote for an elected mayor in Durham City (Echo, Oct 29).

The Tories have failed to gain a single seat on the council for the last 18 years, thus showing their total lack of support. Evidently, they see this as an opportunity to sneak in by the back door.

The cobbler's one-man campaign against the city council over the last few years perfectly demonstrates the problem of "personality politics" being introduced into a system where voters are encouraged to vote for candidates rather than sensible policies.

An elected mayor would place too much power in the hands of one person and result in city councillors being less able to represent their local communities.

A "no" vote in the referendum will be a vote for local democracy. - M Bennett, Durham City Labour Group.

DAY OF REST

SHARON Griffiths makes a good point when she says we would all benefit from regular time out to rest and relax (Echo, Oct 31).

As she says, Sunday used to be set aside as special each week to enjoy time with family, friends and God.

Now, for many people, Sunday is virtually indistinguishable from any other day of the week.

When we hear so much about people suffering from stress-related disease, breakdown, exhaustion, etc, is it any wonder?

Modern society has chosen to inflict these problems on itself. Isn't it time common sense came to the fore?

There's no job so important that it can't be set aside for one day a week for the sake of your health, both physically and spiritually. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH

IT'S a fact that a large percentage of people who develop the crippling condition of rheumatoid arthritis are forced to give up work only a few years after being diagnosed.

Others with less severe forms of arthritis stay in employment, but frequently struggle to cope with the dual demands of work and a debilitating condition.

Now, leading medical research charity, the Arthritis Research Campaign, has produced a new leaflet called Work and Arthritis, which suggests ways of how to manage, and how flexible ways of working can be developed to suit both the person with arthritis and their employer.

The leaflet also explains the provision of the Disability Discrimination Act, which requires employers to help disabled employees to remain in work, and sets out how to weigh up the financial and social pros and cons of staying in employment, or deciding to leave the world of work.

For a free copy of Work and Arthritis, please write to me. - Debbie Branscombe, Arthritis Research Campaign, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TD.

HARRY MEAD

HARRY Mead (Echo, Nov 7) presents the issue of immigration as a bastion of success and indicates that, without it, the nation is doomed.

While the assertion of Marks & Spencer and other success stories are true, his prognosis of the situation facing the nation today is irrational.

Before and after the Second World War, the nation suffered a huge loss of citizens due to the two great wars, and an influx of immigrants was necessary to ensure the rich and better off had plenty of cheap labour to support their greed and affluence.

As for the great American dream, that is another issue. America was a large nation that needed a massive influx, and the vast majority of immigrants were far from successful. The success of America had more to do with its huge store of natural resources, and a world hungry for them, and the labour to deliver.

Britain is a small nation on the verge of splitting up and England, in particular, has borne the brunt of the overcrowding that is leading the nation towards massive problems, especially for the less well off.

We do not have much in the way of national resources which makes the scenario of an overcrowded island a recipe that will destroy our way of life and doom us to poverty and a third world standard of living. - John Young, Crook.

Silent Killer

I WOULD like to offer my congratulations to you on the Silent Killer campaign (Echo, Oct 16).

I fully support action to change the regulations concerning this crucial aspect of health and safety in the home. - Lawrie Quinn MP, Scarborough and Whitby.