SPAIN'S main opposition party was against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Consequently, after Madrid's recent bomb explosions which killed more than 200 and injured more than 1,400, the Spanish people benefited during the weekend's elections and ousted the government.

Similar Islamic extremist acts inside the United States close to next autumn's presidential election would probably boost the chances of the Democratic Party opposition.

However, if the "inevitable" al Qaida major attack happens in Britain close to the next General Election, both the Labour Government and the Conservative Party would suffer unpopularity.

The main beneficiaries could be the Liberal Democrats - the only major political party that did not support the war on Iraq.

Colin S Jeffrey,

East Mount Road,

York.

...I WANT to sue al Qaida; will TJ Ryder please let me have their address (Letters, March 15)?

I think it is somewhere on the Afghan/Pakistan border, but I am not sure.

B Emmerson,

Charles Street, Selby.

Updated: 12:06 Thursday, March 18, 2004