COLUMNIST Peter Mullen believes "the real world will catch up with New Labour's profligacy sooner or later" (Echo, Sept 25).

I suggest he puts his money where his mouth is and places a large wager on Labour being thrown out of office at the coming election. He can always donate his winnings to a worthy cause. I presume he has no moral objection to gambling, given he is chaplain to the Stock Exchange.

B Edwards, Darlington.