ALL these election speeches rumour and counter-rumour made me think. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Another election is drawing near

Where to put my cross, I just don't know Conservative, Liberal, Labour, where should my cross go

Who to trust, I've no idea and that's a fact

They all promise this and promise that Conservative plans just don't add up to me Liberal plans, some are good, some are weak, too weak for me Labour, well I don't know, since the Iraq war

Things are not so good, especially for pensioners and the poor

So much more thinking I'll have to do

To make my decision honest and true.

JM Aldridge

Dane Rise

Winsley

LIKE two-thirds of their age group in England, 9,200 16-18-year-olds study at their local college in Wiltshire and Swindon. Despite the wonderful service they receive, these young people are funded at least 10 per cent less than schools an average shortfall of over £350 per student per year. Students in Wiltshire and Swindon are therefore missing out on at least £3.2m per year.

In addition, the current funding plans for adult learning across England mean that colleges may be required to impose fee rises of 40 per cent over the next three years or introduce course cuts where such courses do not match Government 'priorities'. Older adults will be particularly affected, as will all those adults taking a course not counting towards a Government target.

In the run-up to the General Election the Association of Colleges would like to ask each of your candidates to make their views clear on closing the 16-18 funding gap and protecting adult learning.

DR J BRENNAN

Chief Executive

Association of Colleges

London WC1A 1RG

ONE in four people will experience a mental illness, and plans to reform mental health law could lead to many more being detained and treated against their will. Now an all-party parliamentary committee scrutinising the Draft Mental Health Bill has said that these proposals are "fundamentally flawed". It has endorsed the view of Maca, and the nearly 70 other organisations in the Mental Health Alliance, that the Draft Bill is unethical and unworkable.

We agree with the scrutiny committee that the primary purpose of mental health legislation should be to improve services and safeguards for patients and to reduce the stigma of mental illness. The committee's recommendations are not binding on any government formed after May 5.

Anyone who cares about better mental health law should join us in asking all candidates at this election whether, if elected, they will support the draft Mental Health Bill as it stands, or whether they will join the increasing call for a radical overhaul.

M BALL

Head of Public Affairs

Maca (Mental After Care Association)

London WC1V 7JH