A CHARACTERISTIC I have always noticed about a Conservative Party Conference is that they are dominated by their Parliamentary leaders.

It is assumed that they have all the wisdom and vision in the world.

Some of the speeches are, in fact, interesting and provide material for debate, but any cut and thrust of debate, if it takes place, must take place behind closed doors.

I thought Justice Secretary Ken Clarke’s speech this week was interesting, particularly how he thought that rehabilitation of those sentenced could be achieved, both in prison and in the community. I heard no acknowledgement of the reduction in the incidence of crime since 1990.

I agree that there is a problem with the amount of reoffending by prisoners who have been released, and I am encouraged Mr Clarke has ideas as to how to correct this deficiency, but I was left wondering whether he just rejects police statistics and British Crime Survey reports which convey some good news. Is it because any sign of good news is somehow misreporting if it happens under Labour’s watch?

Looking back, I have noticed that since Tony Blair’s accession Labour conferences are modelled more on those of the Conservatives. Once, there was open dissent in Labour’s ranks. Is it that Conservatives are by nature compliant?

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.