Letters

THE Labour Government has demonstrated in many ways that it is lightweight, incompetent and deceitful and that the judgement of its leader is seriously flawed.

Evaluate the performance of a leader who relies upon advisors who are repeatedly caught out in behaviour which requires them to resign.

The Government has repeatedly demanded results from our teachers, nurses, police and other key professionals which are far beyond the resources made available to them, while at the same time, the Labour politicians themselves have had their snouts in the trough.

The departure of Peter Mandelson was talked up by the Prime Minister in a way which sticks in the throat. Mr Mandelson was parachuted into the job to ensure that Mo Mowlam didn't get the credit she really deserved and to marginalise her in such a way that she was removed from the spotlight. Unfortunately for Tony Blair, the entire nation is not so stupid as to fail to appreciate why he had to get rid of her.

If there is a key to the Northern Ireland situation, it lies with men and women of absolute integrity. Given the mistrust and hatred that has built up over many years, how could you expect the various factions to trust a person who has demonstrated a history of deceit, deception and deal making. It beggars belief. - Gus Robinson, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Hartlepool.

YOUR coverage of Peter Mandelson's downfall (Echo, Jan 25) seems to imply that Mo Mowlam might partly have engineered it.

I do not believe this for a moment. She is perhaps the most respected MP in the region, whereas exactly the opposite is true of Mr Mandelson.

I think the Labour Party in Hartlepool would be most unwise to re-select him as its parliamentary candidate (though, as a Liberal Democrat, I hope it does - we would then have a good chance of taking the seat!). Conversely, I hope Mo Mowlam can be persuaded to stand again, though that would not be good for my party. - J Hawgood, Durham.

RAIL TRANSPORT

I HEAR that Tony Blair has decided against a public inquiry into the Hatfield rail crash. Instead, Labour is intent on blaming the Tories for the current problems on the railways.

Of course, they conveniently ignore the fact that rail traffic has increased enormously since privatisation and prices have tumbled.

Indeed, since I started using the trains as an adult nearly 20 years ago, the cost of a ticket from Newcastle to London has reduced from around £90 return to under £30 return (as long as I book in advance). Travel comfort is massively improved, the catering is better and time-keeping is way improved. These are the reasons why rail travel has blossomed in the last decade.

However, a couple of years ago, Labour's John Prescott told the rail operators that if they didn't hit his targets for timekeeping, etc, then he would fine them and fine them heavily.

I strongly suspect that if a, truly independent, public inquiry were to be held, then it would emerge that politically-motivated targets have pushed the rail operators into a position where maintenance may well have played second fiddle to politics.

Labour has had four years to stamp its mark on public transport and all we've seen is a massive reduction in the roads budget, a hike in taxes on motorists and chaos on the trains. - A Ruff, Ellingham, Northumberland.

ASYLUM SEEKERS

BRITISH taxpayers will have to stump up for more than 110,000 asylum seekers, one newspaper reveals. It is frightening to say the least, we are but a small country. How many more can we absorb?

It appears less than a tenth are genuine asylum seekers, which makes it difficult for genuine asylum claimants, as opposed to those who are abusing the system, no doubt because we are seen as a soft touch.

On the other hand, where is the logic for allowing any more refugees in the country, and an extra burden on top of over a million unemployed?

It does not make sense. We have had two world wars, thousands our lads died for this country. I imagine many survivors are wondering what for? And certainly not a haven for refugees. I see it as a betrayal of those that died. - H Robinson, Middlesbrough.

CAR PARKING

IT has been noticed that Darlington Borough Council has erected signs in Salters Gate South ordering "No Ball Games".

It is a pity the same council officials could not go a little further down the road to Welbeck Avenue, there they would be able to erect similar signs reading "No Car Games".

I am referring to the numerous cars which are regularly parked on the grass verges and, thanks to the recent weather, effectively turning them into miniature ploughed fields. Not only are these deep furrows unsightly, they certainly created more dangerous hazards for the elderly or less mobile residents who have to try to negotiate them.

I would also suggest that, the verges not being constructed to be load bearing, they are less likely to protect the many services, such as gas, water, electricity, which are invariably installed under those same soft grass verges.

Surely this consideration is far more serious than any damage likely to be caused by a few kids kicking a ball about - but of course, the motorists vote for the councillors, while the kids don't vote - do they?

Come on council, get your priorities right! - E Hill, Darlington.

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