I READ Mike Perry's letter (July 5) with some interest.

He blamed previous Tory Governments for the lack of work in St Helens and later in his letter stated that the workers were victim to 'Global capitalism'. Now, which argument would he wish us to accept? Bearing in mind, of course, that the Tory Party is a home produced commodity and could hardly be roundly construed as global.

Mr Perry is particularly vicious concerning Shaun Woodward setting up a trust in an attempt to assist the Ravenhead workers who were sacked in March, 2001 (once again, hardly the fault of the Tories) and then somersaults his argument to state that he is 'sure that these workers will be glad of any form of help and support'.

All Mr Perry can do himself, of course, is to 'wish them well', following which he turns cartwheels again by pointing Mr Woodward in the direction of Oxfordshire when the man is attempting to help some of our unfortunate St Helens citizens.

A further theatrical revolution and Mike Perry turns his attention to Cuba, stating that 'the people of Cuba have shown that socialism can work'.

I wonder if Mr Perry has ever been to Cuba? Just a fortnight ago I was there and I found that people were following me for a tablet of soap or a biro, or better still, cash. The Cubans, I found to be a greatly naturally happy breed, (and I enjoyed my stay there) but they are not a contented people and the vast majority of those I had deep conversations with would very quickly leave those shores if allowed too. I frequently saw little Cuban 'gunboats' putting to sea to prevent unauthorised exits from that country.

It would appear that a wage of US$15 per month, (which amounts, take my word for it, to deprivation) pertains to a great deal for them and a waitress told me that while she had been university educated, she had left teaching in order to earn a little extra in tips from the mainly, English, Canadian and German holiday-makers.

Don't think for a second, Mr Perry, that I am a staunch supporter of Mr Woodward's. I am, in fact and very proudly 'true blue'. But some common ground between us could well be in the very selection of Mr Woodward.

That is, until you mentioned 'toadying to the populace' and that 'the people of this town are not so easily swayed'. With all the machinery in this country for the selection of a candidate speaks ill for any so-called 'free' party who would swallow this. And many thousands of the people of this town were easily swayed.

But then, Mr Perry, I have no doubt that this process of choice of candidate also frequently takes place in your Cuba.

PROUDLY TRUE BLUE (name and address supplied).