I WOULD like to thank the Countryside Alliance and their supporters for reminding me why I felt such jubilation when the Tories lost the 1997 election.

Tony Blair's new Tories may be a bad Government, but I for one do not want to see the real Tories back in office again. People voted for change in 1997 but sadly it was not forthcoming. Nevertheless they gave Mr Blair a second chance last year so let us hope that he does not fail the country again.

So far things do not look very promising. Mr Blair's Britain still acts as if it were a great imperial power. It still jumps when the USA tells it to. It is still semi-detached from our more pragmatic neighbours in the European Union. It still sees a strong pound as a virility symbol despite the damage that continues to be done to agriculture and industry. An over privileged minority still think it is good sport to watch hounds tear wild animals apart.

The latter may be very minor compared to the other matters mentioned but at least banning hunting with dogs would be a start.

J W WRIGHT

Maiden Lane

Cherhill