WILLIAM Hague's infamous attempt to capitalise on the tragic death of Damilola Taylor -- tantamount to saying "Vote Labour for more murders" -- is surely the bottom of the barrel in this depressing competition where both major parties jostle for who can be toughest.

Certainly, many would welcome more bobbies on the beat, not least because it would break that dreadful culture of young, aggressive policemen flashing round in cars pretending they are in some US TV cops and villains chase.

But, welcome as it is, bobbies on the beat is not the answer.

You have to feel sorry for the ordinary copper who nowadays is employed to keep the lid on the simmering discontent in a society spoon-fed a diet of consumerism, and glamorisation of violence.

The police are often filling the hole left by declining social services, an inadequate mental health service and growing poverty.

Statistics show clearly that the demoralising gap between the fashionably ostentatious rich and a resentful poor is growing under New Labour.

2001 will certainly see a General Election and if, as I fully expect, New Labour's only campaigning tactic will be warning that if the Tories win "things can only get worse," we will see more people obstain and turn from political solutions to social problems -- and then the depressing and dangerous decline in social safety will continue.

MICHAEL HINDLEY, Commercial Road, Great Harwood.