I HEAR the sounds of Labour (old and new) sphincters tightening as the days pass.

Labour’s new Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, is open to proportional representation, despite his previous leader reneging on a promise to the Liberal Democrats.

Correspondent Hugh Pender (HAS, June 5) is worried about the lack of policy of the Opposition and Alex Cunningham, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stockton North (HAS, June 6), is getting into the ribs of the bosses, just like his old socialist pals.

Too late, I fear – the gravy train has reached the buffers.

Unfortunately, whoever gets into power at the next General Election will have to take all the hard decisions which Labour has fudged.

Dennis Clark, Billingham.