WELL, it's been a while since Gordon Brown took the reins
to lead this once proud nation out of the grips of doom and gloom, yet regular as clockwork he fails time after time producing nothing but false promises.

It seems that this once so called "rated" Iron Chancellor has finally proved to the people of this country that he has, in fact, been nothing but a wide boy, pushing his luck for 10 years, only escaping capture until now through sheer luck. What a mess this Government have made of our country.

Knife culture continues to hit the headlines with innocent communities scared to wander out after dark. Energy bills continue to rise at an obscene rate, our elderly may well bear the brunt of this "death tax" come the winter period.

Homes are being or in the process of being re-possessed due to at least the last seven years of a false economy courtesy of the "iron man".

Yobs continue to control our streets dealing their poison or protecting what they call their patch, congregating in their usual intimidating large numbers while listening to the latest rap music that promotes violence and drives the bad attitude adrenalin through the veins.

A mountain of misery in the job market continues to deprive those who want to work with the manufacturing sector disappearing faster than ever witnessed before, but some will say otherwise. This depressing list goes on and on. While good old slum Britain continues to nose dive, I am astonished and at the same time annoyed that the electorate still believe that Gordon Brown and his absent MPs are still seen to some as the saviours of this current serious situation.

This is a party that while in bed with the unions still cannot provide a solution to this country's woes, a worry in itself.

There is no doubt about it; we are in one big hole and thanks to Mr Prudence and his gang of freeloaders, the ladder to sanctuary is no longer available.

From: Michael Wilson, William Court, York.

I CANNOT be the only person to have noticed the fixed smile that now seems glued to our Prime Minister's face. The once dour and sombre man seems to have either had smile-coaching, or surgery. It is as well that no disaster has befallen the nation since the vision of that clown-like smile trying to look sober does not bear thinking about.


Welcome holidays for the prince we hope to have faith in

From: Michael Wilson, William Court, Blue Bridge Lane, York.

I think it a bit churlish of LF Boyle (Yorkshire Post, August 20) to highlight the three holidays in exotic parts being taken by Prince William and his girlfriend.

How many other young men have been in the Army, Navy and RAF in the space of a few months and all so that he can be better able to be Commander-in-Chief when he becomes monarch?

Would it be appropriate to inquire when he will spend some time as a country parson in preparation for becoming Defender of the Faith?

From: T Lawty, Langtoft, Driffield.

IN reply to LF Boyle, it is not only the Royal Family who have holidays. Tony Blair when he was Prime Minster took holidays.

We can afford the Royal Family. I don't want to live in a Republic. The Queen and the Royal Family have the ability to unite Britain unlike the divisive nature of politicians.

Don't forget the two Princes have served in the Forces. They need not have done that. Both Princes are involved in a lot of charity work. Prince Harry helps and does work for his African charity in Lesotho. They need not do that. Prince Charles started the Prince's Trust and that has helped a lot of youngsters.

Maybe some of the people he has helped could tell us about it.

No political leader is permanent and they cannot be impartial because they have loyalty to their own political party.

The Queen and the Royal Family do alot of good work. We should be proud
of them .

From: Susan Abbott, Melbourne Road, St Johns, Wakefield.

WHO is LF Boyle going to slate next – footballers, businessmen, politicians? I've just come back from a super holiday in – wait for it – Scarborough and had a great time despite the inclement weather!

Most of us have to work for a living including the above mentioned and we all have choices we can make. Be thankful you are well enough to work and focus on what you do have.

You'll not be happy or have inner peace by being envious of what others
have or do and you will only end up being bitter.


A bungled poll that has disenfranchised thousands

From: Richard Cooper-Holmes, Dunscroft Grove, Rossington, Doncaster

I DO not understand why parish councillors Terry Wilde and Diane Field are getting so self-righteous over the parish poll (Yorkshire Post, July 26) with less than 10 per cent of people voting. The truth is, if you want a referendum about the proposed eco-town, it might be helpful to have a question on the ballot paper that mentions the eco-town – they chose not to; or to send out literature which explains what is proposed – they chose not to.

To make matters worse for our parish councillors, thanks to the tough standards the Government applies to eco-towns, the Rossington scheme was revised; so the only house building will now be on the old colliery site – a brownfield development. The parish council could have asked for residents' views about building on the old colliery site – but they chose not to.

The parish council could have sent out a postal survey asking several questions – they chose not to.

If parish councillors took their heads out of the sand, they would find that each eco-town has to produce a certain number of new local jobs as well as housing – and the jobs have to come first; and 30 per cent of the housing has to be affordable or for rent.

The parish council has wasted money on a bungled poll that was out of date before the question was even put to a vote. The way they did it disenfranchised thousands. If Doncaster Council had planned a consultation in this way, Mr Wilde would be first to be calling for resignations. The councillors responsible for organising this mess should pay the cost of it out of their own pockets. They would demand that of others.