I NOTICE the Conservatives are calling the pledges made by the Labour Party worthless, but first of all let us be clear on just what we are going to be voting for at the next general election.

It is not about Tony Blair, nor is it about Michael Howard. It is: do you want a Labour government or do you want a Conservative government?

Let us look at the pledges of the last Conservative government.

First there was North Sea oil and how the people would benefit from it.

Then there was British Gas, British Telecom, electricity and water.

Then ask yourself, who has really benefited apart from the city institutions who, by and large, vote Conservative.

Look at the state of all those industries today and how much you are paying.

I haven't mentioned the most insidious piece of legislation -- the Conservative government passed the poll tax. This has caused unknown hardship to the people of this country.

So when you go to vote, are you better off with the government you have at present or would you like to go back to the thinking of the Conservative party, who no matter what they say, can't change their way of thinking.

BRIAN BOOTH, Rockcliffe Street, Blackburn.