MAY I congratulate New Labour for a brilliant piece of timing in rolling the bill to ban hunting with dogs past its third reading in parliament?

The foot and mouth crisis served very conveniently as an opportunity to kick rural Britain when it is well and truly down and in no position to protest.

Rest assured, Tony Blair has stated that he has no intention of targeting shooting and angling -- yet .

It is nice to know that New Labour continues to demonstrate such determination on being tough on crime, tough on criminals. Long may we see motorists, fox hunters, greengrocers and other evil wrong-doers get their comeuppance. Good people, rejoice!

JANET KIRKHAM, Butterworth Brow, Brinscall.