I WELCOME the opportunity to comment upon Steve Ellis' letter regarding striking workers.

It is interesting that businesses can withdraw their money and resources, causing a permanent loss of service to customers and that is okay.

That is capitalism, that is the free market, that is free enterprise, that is New Labour.

However, if workers temporarily withdraw their labour, causing a temporary loss of service to customers; in defence of those jobs and that service then the full weight of and majesty of the law will be brought against them.

For they are 'the wreckers', and that is very New Labour too.

It is New Labour that calls for 'reform' of the public services when they mean giving it away to the same businessmen and women who will pull out when the going gets tough and there isn't an easy shilling to turn.

Please, Steve, do not blame the Tories for the total hypocrisy of New Labour.

And Richard Newman-Thompson; an enthusiastic New Labour supporter; had better remove the mote from his eye before casting doubts upon the integrity of others!

It is New Labour that welcomes Tory traitors such as Howarth and Woodward; and gives them safe seats and good jobs.

It is New Labour that rejects people centred politicians such as Tony Benn, Liz Davies and Mark Seddon in favour of the turncoats led by their chief, Tony Blair.

And yet, there is hope Steve.

The only power individuals have is in their unity and their vote.

Let us start at the next local elections by withholding our votes from New Labour candidates and using them elsewhere.

I shall give mine to the Greens just o irritate RN-T.

If we unit and don't give in to apathy we can strike a mortal blow against any political party.

As the Tories found to their cost!

As soon as the nation wakes from its electoral apathy we will begin to see the end of New Labour and the return of the socialist principles of a true Labour Party.

Now that's a dawn worth waiting for!

Barry Bell, Croft Avenue, Slyne, Lancaster.