Politics

There was bad health because of depression and educational underachievement because there did not seem much point in training for anything”.

This seems to be a fair summary of the some of the problems we face at the moment, especially considering the dire financial situation the country finds itself in.

After 12 years of misguided Labour policies Mr Taylor-Gooby would appear to be the one who has not noticed what is going on.

But no, he uses the above quote to bring up the policies adopted 30 years ago to address a similar problem.

Much as Gordon Brown may try to keep this problem under wraps, solving it will be an equally painful process.

Whether it is better to start to turn this round now or let it drift, with all the expensive debt repayments still accruing, is a debatable matter, but surely it is time for old Labour prejudices to take a back seat and show some understanding of reality.

This is the same prejudice that prompts constant out-of-context quoting of Margaret Thatcher’s “no such thing as society”

statement.

John Heslop, Gainford, near Darlington.

THE Liberal Democrats have announced they will fight the General Election on four key principles designed to make Britain a fairer place.

We will introduce fairer taxes, bringing in a £10,000 start point for income tax and stop the anomaly that those on the lowest incomes pay more of their incomes in tax than the highest earners.

We will introduce a pupil premium for pupils in the poorest families that will give schools added income to spend on the ways they think will be best to help these youngsters get a start in life.

We will bring a change to the electoral system, including a fairer voting system and the right for a constituency to sack its MP.

We will rebuild the economy – promoting green technology and infrastructure, ending casino banking and supporting local businesses.

The coming months are a crucial time for politics. I will be focusing on these Lib Dem priorities and offering a chance for change in Stockton South.

Our leader, Nick Clegg, has noted that David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and focus group. One does not know what he believes; the other is clinging to power in any way he can.

Jacquie Bell, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Stockton South.

IN answer to Alan Dodgson’s query (HAS, Jan 16), the reason the Tories were “absolutely routed” in 1997 are among the reasons that Labour will suffer the same fate.

They were perceived as a weak and divided party dominated by political infighting.

Mr Dodgson may not agree with the fact that Labour inherited what was considered a “Rolls-Royce” economy.

However, that does not alter the fact that it was difficult and brutal decisions made during John Major’s premiership that brought the British economy from the recession of 1990-92 to the era of strong, stable economic growth that Labour squandered, just as every other previous Labour government has done.

As David Cameron looks set to inherit an appalling legacy – like the one left by the Callaghan government – it is time he pinned the tail firmly on the donkey and offered us the absolute clarity of purpose, immense energy and a willingness to take the right (not the popular) decisions, that Margaret Thatcher did.

The Tories did not destroy our economy, pensions, savings or build the mountain of debt.

However, they will, as always, be blamed for the making savage cuts and unpalatable decisions necessary to solve them.

So, what cuts and who bleeds?

Des More, Darlington