In reply to Brian Sedgley's letter about Mr Blair getting his priorities wrong in trying to ban fox hunting.

Mr Sedgley, do you really know what the average person in the street does or doesn't care about?

We all care about our children having a good education and the NHS not having enough beds for patients on the wards and even trains running on time.

Does it do any good to insult back benchers and animal rights campaigners?

I think you are hiding behind your statements, especially referring to the people of Swindon having the freedom to live our lives without interference from No 10 Downing Street.

I think that we should also concentrate on having a more humane society.

I still believe most of us want our children to care, to teach them to appreciate the beauty of animals and the countryside around us.

To respect and care for animals makes us better human beings, teaches us to respect and care for others as well.

There is a lot of suffering and sadness in this life. We don't need to add to it. At what price is freedom?

Any excuse will never justify this suffering and cruelty. If there is a rogue animal killing a farmer's livestock then that one particular animal can be shot humanely.

That wouldn't be so much fun for the hunters.

I admire Mr Blair's courage and humanity to try to ban foxhunting. I care and I believe a lot of others do too. I also trust Tony Blair enough to believe that he is gradually sorting out the problems with the NHS and education that have accumulated over the years.

Are you, Mr Sedgley, by any chance a fox hunting, privileged Tory? I apologise if I am wrong, but that is the picture you conveyed in your letter.

(Mrs) MARY PACY

Conisborough, Toothill

Swindon