Letters

SO the Millennium Dome has reached the end of its sad, costly existence and will make way for new developments. As a way of marking a significant occasion, it has been outright pathetic.

To mark the final resting place of St Cuthbert over 900 years ago, the majestic Durham Cathedral was built by people without the technology and machinery that we possess today.

In contrast, the best that could be managed to commemorate the year 2000 was a hideous erection which had the appearance and elegance of a circus big top and lasted barely a year. What a waste of money, Mr Blair. - Trevor Agnew, Darlington.

CONSIGNIA

THE new name Consignia for the Post Office is entirely unnecessary and is change just for the sake of change.

For time immemorial we have known it as the Post Office. Has the country gone mad? - E Francis, Darlington.

JAMES BULGER

THE calculating, sadistic murderers of the little innocent James Bulger are being given another treat. After eight years of free board, lodgings and comfort, they are being given full protection and change of identity for life.

What a terrifying, dangerous example to all those who see a licence to kill.

Stop now. Wake up, do-gooders. Leopards don't change their spots.

No one cares that this means more hell for James's mother. Shame that the judge did not put her top of her list of priorities.

Please channel your anger into joining any campaign to stop this gross injustice. - Mary Armstrong, Crook.

RAY MALLON

I WAS going to write to refute Ray Mallon's statement (Echo, Jan 4) that corporal punishment does not work, but he has changed his stance from zero tolerance to joining the usual claptrap about nurturing and teaching respect by good parents and good schools in a good environment.

I reached for my sick bag at the complete turnabout of someone whom I thought would do some good for a beleaguered country. - J Maughan, Newcastle.

VOLUNTEERS

NOW that Gordon Brown and the Labour Government (Echo, Jan 12) has wasted all the money it has pinched out of our pockets with its stealth taxes, it is asking for volunteers to look after the country and, to add insult to injury, it is going to charge you for the privilege. - Stephen Feaster, Chairman, United Kingdom Independence Party, Ryedale Branch.

PUBLIC SERVANTS

LIKE many others, I was appalled by the report of an outrageous attack on a fireman (Echo, Jan 12) while doing his duty at Rushyford.

The Leader Page comment echoes the thoughts of many of us when it says: "Punishment for the perpetrator should be swift and tough."

As we shall see, it is unlikely to be swift, it will certainly not be tough and above all, it will not be punishment in any meaningful sense of the word.

The only certainty is that assaults on our public servants will continue simply because there is no effective deterrent. - Bob Jarratt, Richmond.

PENSIONERS

THE result of the next General Election is not as complicated as many politicians and spin doctors seem to imply.

It is a simple fact that if this Government refused to acknowledge the damage it caused to its image when it allotted 75p a week to the pensioners it would have lost the election, and now, since the improvements to pensioners' income has been made (come April) it will win the next election. Not because of the high percentage of OAPs who will vote, but because many young people realised how derisory was the 75p increase. It should be remembered that most OAPs have children of voting age who want a government to treat their parents fairly. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

EUROPE

ACCORDING to Tony Blair, the purpose of the Treaty of Nice was not to take away our sovereignty, but merely to make arrangements to enable the European Union to work better by the way it makes decisions.

However, according to reports from the United Kingdom Independence Party (which now has three members of the European Parliament), Tony Blair has surrendered up to 40 areas over which we have previously held a veto, ie sovereignty. These included vetos over our immigration and asylum policies and financial matters, where we can now be forced under EU regulations to bail out other EU countries which cannot meet their own pension liabilities.

Worst, and to my mind most important of all, he has authorised the EU to ban political parties which criticise the EU, such as the UK Independence Party and the Greens and, no doubt sooner or later, religious denominations such as non-conformists.

All this treachery from our saintly Prime Minister who has the gall to refer to himself as a Social Democrat whilst he appoints a Minister of Patriotism to mask his treasonable dirty work.

As a life member of the so-called urban working class, I suggest to the Labour Party that the sooner it dumps St Tony, the better. - Alan Rook, Newcastle.

OLD COMRADES

MAY I appeal to those shipmates who served in "C" Class destroyers, ie CA, CO, CH and CR vessels, to join our association.

The 8th Destroyer Flotilla/Squadron Association was originally limited to those who served in the 8th in the Far East from 1945 to 1963. But we are now broadening our membership and are extending a sincere invitation to our sister shipmates to join us wherever they may have served.

We have a smashing reunion in Scarborough each September where you will be made warmly welcome. The joy on a shipmate's face when he meets up again with an old comrade is always a pleasure to behold. Details and membership forms are available from me, Cliff Longfoot, Chief Pressganger, 8th Destroyer Association 0151-226, 3675. - C Longfoot, 50 Graylands Road, Walton, Liverpool, L4 9UQ.