However, he must not be allowed to get away with the ludicrous assertion that as Chancellor, Brown was "the best finance and economic (sic) minister this century".

Let us consider the record:

Brown single-handedly destroyed the private sector pension safety-net of millions.

He jilted Prudence, carefully nurtured by his Conservative predecessor Kenneth Clarke, and returned to Old Labour tax and spend.

As a result, public sector borrowing is at danger levels and there is nothing in the kitty for this rainy day. He allows the 10p tax rebate to be paid with borrowed money which our grandchildren will have to repay.

He presided over this loose fiscal policy which any O-level economics student knows could only lead to inflation. Inflation is a monetary phenomenon, where the only antidote is higher interest rates as the counter-balance to government spending. Indeed, the concept of government running the former, and the Bank of England the latter is fundamentally flawed.

Yes, he talked Tony Blair out of joining the euro, but now refuses to let the people speak in a referendum on the unelected European steamroller.

It is probable that when the history of these times comes to be written, Dr MacShane's phrase will be changed to "one of the worst".

Certainly, Brown's micro-management of all our daily lives has made Britain a decreasingly comfortable place in which to live.


From: Brian Lewis, Linden Terrace, Pontefract.

I HAVE just watched Gordon Brown's speech about oil production, new forms of energy and outside investment on nuclear and renewables.

Several things struck me very clearly. Okay so he is not touchy feelie, he stutters, his dress sense is dull and comes over as dour. But what gravitas.

He is a leader that the world will listen to.

His 10 year economic record in a major world economy which kept things stable is recognised.

He is a world statesman with a sure grasp of economics and an impressive record.

Anyone who wants to replace him for the untried at this point in our history is barmy.


From: Barrie Frost, Watson's Lane, Reighton, Filey.
THE war in Afghanistan is a just war with very brave military personnel engaged in a conflict to eliminate terrorists and ensure the wild and remote country of Afghanistan does not become a safe training ground for terrorists.

The war in Afghanistan is, however, a Nato operation. Yet too many countries, who are Nato members, and so-called senior and respectable members, are simply not pulling their weight.

They appear to be willing to stand aside and allow the real dirty and dangerous fighting to be left to the US, Britain and Canada. The latter countries are not only putting the lives of their servicemen and women on the line, they are also bearing a grossly distorted share of the cost. Their assistance could greatly reduce the length of the conflict.

The Nato members who are falling very short of their responsibilities are our European allies, including Germany, France, Italy and Spain, which does not translate into Nato.

Great concern is that these countries are also major players of the European Union who are very willing and able to influence Britain's affairs.

If they fall short of fulfilling their Nato duties, why should Britain believe that their influence in our affairs will be just, desirable and welcome through our membership of the European Union?

Is it acceptable for them to be able to cherry-pick which responsibilities they will be engaged in?

From: JW Buckley, Aketon, Pontefract.

FOLLOWING the letter from Len Fincham (Yorkshire Post, June 17) about the instability of Afghanistan, and the failure of all attempts to help, leads to the conclusion he reaches, namely "get out".

But there is a far larger question. Knowing history as we do, why did we go there in the first place?

From: Colin S Jeffrey, East Mount Road, York.

DURING the past four years, young men and women have chosen to join the British Armed Forces knowing that British military involvement in the invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq were, at best, highly questionable.

Consequently, when military personnel return to Britain inside coffins I see them, sadly in my eyes, as misguided individuals and not as heroes.

Passengers see the light


From: Peter R Wood, Sunnyside, Todmorden.

FURTHER to your news article about tree-felling along the railway line in the Calder Valley (Yorkshire Post, June 11), it should be pointed out that not only has the tree felling improved sight-lines etc for Network Rail, but it has also brought environmental benefits to rail passengers and to the road that runs alongside the rail line.

When travelling by rail, one can now appreciate the views across the valley, rather than the green "tunnel" in which the railway ran. When travelling by road, much more light reaches the highway, improving visibility and safety for road traffic.

It should also be said that at one time, when there were linesmen walking the track regularly, the offending trees would never have grown to the height they have. Only lack of investment for many years when the railway has been in both public and private hands, and automation of track inspection, have allowed tree growth by the lineside.

I look forward to completion of the removal of lineside trees, not only in the Calder valley, but in other areas where they impinge on the safety and pleasures that can be had from travelling by rail.


From: Colin Cawthray, Elmete Drive, Roundhay, Leeds.
THE Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "Ireland should not be bullied over the result of their referendum. The Irish people should be respected for their opinions."

Why is it then that Prime Minister Brown does not respect the British people, and treats us with such contempt?

After all did they not promise in their General Election manifesto we would have a referendum on the EU Treaty.

We should be allowed our democratic rights.

From: K Nicholls, Pannal, Harrogate.

I AM probably not alone in feeling that we are being hoodwinked by fait accompli politics and politicians both in this country and in the EU zone. Are we to be denied the referendum and rely on Ireland and the Czech Republic to prevent us from sinking further and being sucked in to the European morass?

From: John E Dodd, Poacher's Croft, Belton, Doncaster.

WITH regard to Richard Corbett's analogy in comparing the Lisbon Treaty situation to a trip to a restaurant (Yorkshire Post, June 20), could I suggest a more apt analogy?

Supposing a group of students wanted to organise a meal at a restaurant to celebrate their A-level results. The restaurant states that they must agree a set menu for all. All but one of the students have parents with Victorian-type values who in their wisdom take it on themselves to decide on the meal that their child will have, regardless of the fact that he or she may not enjoy it, because they know best.

The parents of the other student are liberally-minded and let their child select the meal he wants knowing he will eat and enjoy it. Would it be right in the eyes of Richard Corbett for the Victorian-type parents to request the parents of the odd one out to exert their parental authority to convince their child to change his choice?

From: Richard Jackson, Goodwell Lea, Brancepeth, Co Durham.

RICHARD Corbett's article on the Ireland "No" vote seems (deliberate or otherwise) to completely ignore the fact that the Irish are one of the very few populations who have been given the opportunity to express their opinion. To insist repeatedly that all 27 member states want reform is probably true. The disingenuous aspect of the article, however, is that the changes are being designed and driven by the politicians and not the people and the changes nay not suit the people.

Mr Corbett's own party promised a referendum at the last election on what constitutes over 90 per cent of the Lisbon Treaty. Only by the thinnest pretext, has this been denied us.

I do not know if I would want to accept the treaty, but I would like to hear real, informed arguments to help me make up my mind. Using Mr Corbett's restaurant analogy, I would at least like the opportunity of discussing the menu with the maitre'd and not be lectured by him about what I should and should not eat.


From: Mrs M Hunt, Seckar Lane, Woolley, near Wakefield.

REFERRING to R Bristow's letter (Yorkshire Post, June 13) saying that he "would consider going to church for the first time in years" should Dr John Sentamu become Archbishop of Canterbury, I wonder why he feels he needs to wait so long? Is Dr Sentamu not flying high enough in his role of Archbishop of York? He has certainly hit the headlines and raised the profile of the Church in a very positive manner on many occasions.

The open-air service, which Dr Sentamu led in a field near Cannon Hall, Cawthorne, last summer, was a unique and unforgettable occasion. Dr Sentamu has a great sense of humour. He is charismatic, a man of the people and what he said was inspirational.

Why should the renaissance of Christianity, of which R Bristow speaks, not begin in the North of England?

Key role of workers

From: FM Ibbotson, Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr, Doncaster.

BERNARD Ingham's article (Yorkshire Post, June 18) on the public sector was perfectly timed. As we are possibly heading into a recession, it is time that one misconception of this Government is corrected.

It continually asserts that public sector workers are "key workers" and as such should be afforded special favours.

Nurses and other medical workers are some of the favoured few. All public sector workers are secondary or tertiary workers, and not key workers.

The key workers of this country are those who produce food, drink, shelter and warmth. In other words, farmers, builders, miners, fishermen and power producers.

Pronounced differences

From: S Skaff, Church Avenue, North Ferriby.

CONCERNING Sarah Freeman's article on poor spelling (Yorkshire Post, May 28), for proper spelling, good word pronouncing is necessary and this is something that the Anglophiles are poor at.

Firstly, the English vowels will have to be put in line with the rest of the European ones in pronunciation.

Secondly, proper sectioning of each word when it is pronounced. In French, German and Italian, every vowel is clearly pronounced and punctuated.

Thirdly, it would be necessary to get rid of the many idiosyncrasies of the English language spelling.

All this is not just causing the poor spelling but also the terrible failure of the British to learn other people's languages.