ONCE again, it would appear that we are on the verge of another so-called 'Winter of Discontent.'

Some pensioners will have to live through a miserable, cold winter, alone and frightened, unable to go into accommodation where they would feel safe and comfortable.

Some will comment that they should have saved for their old age, but, living on miserly wages, it took every penny to survive. Where, oh where, is that classless society, or should I say more-equal, society that Tony Blair and New Labour promised us? Or was this just a pipe dream or another of those big political ploys to get our votes.

They certainly fooled a lot of voters, especially genuine socialists who wanted rid of sleazy Tories and looked forward to a fairer Britain. But today there is a bigger gap between those who have more than enough to live a luxurious lifestyle and those who once again will find themselves in lots of debt.

We now have the fire service on strike and this could be followed by more strikes. But we live in a greedy western capitalist society and Tony's government assures us that those in high places are worth every penny of exorbitant salaries and big pay-offs.

Lots of us hoped our thought with the election of New Labour those days were gone and Tony did promise a fairer society. It states in the good book that the poor will always be with us -- and, sadly, so too will the greedy.

C E STITT, Hillside View, Brierfield.