IT was an interesting experience to read about the documents released under the 30-year rule concerning Margaret Thatcher’s early days as Prime Minister (Echo, Dec 30).

Despite the advice of Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington, who was sympathetic to the cause of the Vietnamese “boat people”

after visiting their refugee camps in Hong Kong, Mrs Thatcher voiced dissent to this view and noted she was opposed to immigrants from Asia acquiring council houses ahead of “white citizens”.

We can see who the role model was for the BNP’s Nick Griffin.

We can see the philosophy behind Tory policy of the day. We can also see the task which David Cameron has of trying to convince the electorate that the current Conservative Party has “moved on” from the Thatcher years.

As more “30-year” revelations emerge we have to ask ourselves if this particular political leopard has really changed its spot. I, for one, don’t think so.

Paul Harland, Pittington, Durham.