IT WAS interesting to read your report that 100 people met in Upper Minety to debate a proposed change of use of a pub to a home. It put into perspective the 50 from the whole of Swindon who attended a well publicised meeting to stop the war in Afghanistan.

This was called by the so-called Socialist Alliance. It is a collection (they would say coalition) of interests from hard-line communist agitators and anarchists to Trade Union militants and the remnants of once fashionable but now deserted organisations such as CND. They could almost choose a party each.

The only thing which seems to make them allies is their shared hatred of Western democracy and especially America. This must be a hangover from the Cold War when they thought the USSR would stand the test of time.

If they have any respect for their own traditions this alliance will also disintegrate quickly because the only ones they hate more than the USA. and Tories are each other.

I see that Bill Hughes addressed the tiny band of brothers as leader of the Green Party. When will he come out of the closet and change their name to the Red Party? His long and too-frequent letters are confined to advocacy of workers' rights and outdated Marxist views.

Once again the lefties chose a bandwagon and their wheels drop off. How often do they have to be proved wrong?

Once again there is rejoicing in a liberated land, first Kuwait, then Kosovo, now Kabul.

Once again the United Nations, USA and UK and Christian charities have shown they are the only real friends that true peace-loving Muslims have. Some local Islamic leaders do them no favours.

KEITH RATCLIFFE

Priory Green

Highworth