Letters

IF William Hague's political stature was as big as his mouth he might be taken more seriously.

Fearing another debacle at the General Election, he staggers from one issue to another, hoping to pick up some votes from the eternal malcontents.

The simple truth is that Tony Blair and his Government are doing a good job and, in less than four years, have gone a long way to redressing 18 years of Tory misrule.

The economy is in good shape, although problems in the US will rub off on Europe next year.

Until Mr Hague throws off his fawning attitude to Margaret Thatcher and frees his political thinking from the shackles of the Tory right wing, he will remain a paper tiger with no hope of winning an election.

Indeed, he will do well to withstand a challenge to his own position next year. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

POSTAGE STAMPS

WITH Christmas over and millions of Christmas cards sent out, one wonders how many gallons of saliva were used sticking the extra large stamps onto the envelopes?

You can buy envelopes that do not require licking and, for many years now, peel-off sticky labels and address labels have been available. But the Post Office says that it tried peel-off stamps and they were found to be unsuitable. Why did they not contact other countries that have them.

When licking a stamp, how can you be sure the last time it was handled (when bought at the Post Office) that the fingers that held it when it was passed over, were clean? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

TEESQUAY BRIDGE

WITH all the glare of publicity, the Mayor of Stockton, Coun Pete Andrew, and the Member of Parliament for Stockton South, Dari Taylor, opened the Teesquay Millennium Footbridge over the River Tees in December 2000.

I think the people of Teesside and, especially those who live in Stockton, should be given the full facts that this bridge was fabricated in Spain using local labour, when it should have been built on Teesside, using the skills of our own workforce.

Teesside is world renowned for building all types of bridges. For the Labour MP for Stockton South to open this footbridge when her Government has decimated the construction industry on Teesside is beyond me and others in Stockton. - Coun Stephen Smailes, Conservative Group Leader, Stockton Council.

RACISM

OF COURSE the accusation of "institutional racism" has had an effect on police morale. Police officers are human, and human beings react in different ways to criticism. Some will ignore it, some will think carefully and react positively, and others will react with anger and resentment.

But the fact that this criticism has provoked a negative reaction in some quarters does not mean that it is unjustified, nor that the Macpherson Report should be rejected or discredited.

The report defined institutional racism as: "The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origins. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people."

This will be recognised as a reality by anyone on the receiving end. Unfortunately, some people have interpreted it as something altogether more damning. It certainly does not imply that all police officers are racist, and William Hague is once again exploiting popular prejudice for the sake of political advantage. - P Winstanley, Chester le Street.

CHANNEL CHALLENGE

THE year 2001 will be the 7th anniversary of my Swim for Life Channel Challenges. We want to break all records this year by persuading more swimmers than ever to take up the challenge to help themselves get fit and help others by raising funds for charity. Will you join me please?

The challenge is to swim the distance of the Channel, 22 miles, or any multiple of 22. You don't have to brave the freezing waters of the English Channel to take part but enjoy it in the warmth and comfort of your local pool throughout 2001.

In previous years, thousands of swimmers aged from ten to 98 have taken part and helped me raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for deserving causes. You can complete the challenge in stages throughout the year - either as an individual or you can get family, work colleagues or school friends together and take part as a team.

This year sees the introduction of the School and Company Team Challenges. A National Trophy will be presented to both the School and Company Team which raises the greatest amount of sponsorship money by taking on the Challenge.

This year's main beneficiary is the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Muscular Dystrophy is a term used to describe a range of progressive conditions which waste or weaken muscles. One in 2,000 people are affected by muscular dystrophy or related neuromuscular conditions. At present there are no treatments or cures. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign funds scientific research into possible treatments and cures. It also provides practical help and advice for individuals and families affected by muscular dystrophy.

I know most of you like to help charities but what could be easier or more enjoyable than to do it whilst helping yourself get fit, having the satisfaction of completing an ambitious personal challenge and having great fun at the same time.

For an entry form or more information call the Actionline on 01382 451146 or pick up an entry form at your local pool. Please take up the challenge and help me help others. - Sharron Davies MBE