SIMON Blackburn (Letters: September 7) appears to be conveniently suffering from 'selective memory recall'.

What about the previous Labour administration's performance between 1964-1979. In two six year spells what did they achieve? Inflation at a level one would only expect to see in a struggling third world country. Near bankruptcy, with Denis Healey having to go cap in hand to the IMF to bail us out. Finally let us not forget the 'Winter of discontent' when many of those in work appeared to be dissatisfied with conditions etc. That they preferred to be on strike. We couldn't walk through the streets for the accumulating piles of rubbish.

What so far has the current government achieved - the odd penny of income tax coupled with stealth taxes that equate to an 8p rise in income tax! Yes, some ground surrounding plans for the health service and education. The big test however is being able to bring them to fruition , we wait and see.

As Peter Mandelson said "Thatcherism halted Britain's relative decline.' The conservative administration handed the Blair Government a solid foundation on which to go forward.

Let us hope they use it wisely for all our sakes.

K J Hodkinson

Lancaster