IT was interesting to read Stockton North prospective Labour parliamentary candidate Alex Cunningham’s letter (HAS, Jan 16).

He has a good reputation as a leading member of Stockton Borough Council and from what I have seen he has done a good job with the Building Schools for the Future programme.

I think that he needs to appreciate that he has a hard act to follow after the present MP, Frank Cook, who had an independent frame of mind on matters involving the basic rights of ordinary, law-abiding citizens and in pursuance of his convictions he ruffled feathers which were left unruffled by other MPs in this area.

The main asset Councillor Cunningham would bring to Parliament is his experience in local government.

However, he is a man I have known for quite a long time and it has to be said that I do not yet know enough about him to be sure that he would contribute to the democratic spirit needed in Parliament and be prepared to scrutinise fully the actions of government.

It is in my mind that I might vote Labour when the General Election comes, but Coun Cunningham has a good deal to prove yet.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

FOLLOWING my letter in defence of Gordon Brown (HAS, Jan 12) my “mindset” was criticised by Colin Mortimer (HAS, Jan 16).

What he fails to realise is that my mindset covers 80 years of life experience under the two major political parties since 1929 – a hard lesson that has taught me to ignore Tory propaganda and not to be swayed by their political literature.

I well remember my early life when, as a working family, we knew nothing but hardship and squalor and it took a world war to bring the people to their senses.

Mr Mortimer should realise that today’s generation can no longer be dictated to or told where to put the crosses on their ballot papers as in the old days.

Today, people have the intelligence and experience to make up their own minds on who they trust and who to vote for.

Tom Seale, Middlesbrough.