BECAUSE we now have the same Government that has been elected into office by less than two people in five, due mainly to the apathy of the electorate, let us see if Mr Blair can do his job properly and give most of the people what they want.

Yet again he has promised to be tough on crime. His colleagues say prison does not work but have they tried being really tough on criminals?

I don't think so.

If they sentenced these people to years in prison instead of weeks or, in extreme cases, months people would think twice about committing the same crime.

This would bring down the crime rate and lessen the prison population.

But the bleeding hearts would be saying it is against their human rights, even though most people believe these rights are forfeited when they commit such crimes.

T J Ryder,

North Lane,

Dringhouses,

York.

Updated: 11:30 Monday, May 23, 2005