I WISH David Lacey (HAS, April 29) would read my letters properly instead of inserting his own prejudices into my contributions.

He thinks I was wrong to say Gordon Brown has not been very lucky.

Surely, whatever your political affiliation, this is true.

Prime ministers and aspiring prime ministers need good fortune to succeed or survive.

Margaret Thatcher was heading for oblivion when Galtieri invaded the Falklands and she won the next election – good fortune, surely.

In 1977, the Tories were engulfed by sleaze and Mr Blair was presented with a landslide victory– surely, good fortune.

Mr Brown has been faced with the worst recession – global at that. Surely, dire misfortune.

I still think Mr Brown has been unlucky, whatever his other faults may be.

Hugh Pender, Darlington.