W Newson (November 7) is so confident that Labour will win the next election that he says he will be going down the bookies as Labour are 1/3 favourites to win. I don't agree with Mr Newson, but I do give him 10 out of 10 for his confidence in Labour.

However, I would like to point out that it was Labour who have caused the fuel crisis with high petrol tax, taken away the married tax allowance, wasted millions on the Dome, are still determined to scrap clause 28, cut police numbers, masterminded the Runnymead report, and now want to surrender yet more of our sovereignty to Brussels at Nice next month.

Mr Newson goes on to say that the farmers involved in the fuel protests are the "fox-hunting lobby (Tory party on horseback)". As a longtime campaigner against fox-hunting, I can assure him there are pro and anti-hunt people in all three main parties. The farmers and hauliers are taking their action on behalf of us all against an arrogant, out of touch government.

When out with a petition against the Nice treaty the other Sunday, I wish Mr Newson could have been with me, the number of people who had a deep distrust of Tony Blair would have been a surprise for him.

Peter Bates

Belsay

Toothill