I NOTE that the government ignored the report that 25 per cent of our population live in poverty, a figure which includes four million children.

Frank Field led a protest of disabled people to Par liament in protest at the cuts to benefits to the disabled. Yet, I note that there seems to be no shortage of finance when it comes to cruise missiles being used in the 'conflict' in Kosovo.

I also note that Mr Blair and Co ignored the findings on health and poverty, much as Mrs Thatcher ignored The Black Report on the same subject. They both came to the same conclusion - that low pensions, unemployment and disability payments caused poor health.

When we voted in New Labour we were promised change, but we have much of the same, a widening gap between rich and poor, a health and education system chronically underfunded and public services suffering cuts.

I urge the people of Trafford to confront the canvassers in the coming council and Euro-elections, regarding the direction our country is heading. It costs nothing to ask the question!

Mr W Cope (address supplied).

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.