NOW that Tony Blair - or should that be Tory Blair? - has again been voted an ample Parliamentary majority, I sincerely hope his Government will use it far more effectively than last time.
In 1997, Labour inherited an accumulation of 18 years of Conservative mess and needlessly tied themselves to the previous Tory economic policy. There can be no excuse now why Labour cannot govern radically until autumn 2005.
But it remains to be seen if the whimpish, over-cautious Mr Blair will continue to try to please everyone rather than push through necessary changes. If he can't improve, then Labour needs a new leader.
The Government has a clear mandate and can use it positively. They should be prepared to use the Parliament Act frequently against undemocratic obstruction from the unelected House of Lords, for example.
If Labour don't fulfil their modest manifesto objectives in this second term of office, they'd deserve to be ditched by the electorate in 2005.
Colin S Jeffrey,
East Mount Road, York.
...NEW Labour in on a landslide of apathy, the Conservatives stuck in the mud and a return for the Liberal Democrats to the Liberal days of a previous generation.
The Conservatives failed to recover from the depths of 1997 because they failed to learn two important lessons from Old Labour.
Firstly, ignore your core voters as they are not going to vote for any other party, but instead campaign with policies that will appeal to the uncommitted centre, the old 'swing voters' who are now the majority.
Secondly, do not have, as Old Labour did with Neil Kinnock, a leader who is both bald and speaks with a 'funny' regional accent. The Britain of Clem Attlee is long gone and we are now in an age of personality politics.
The Conservatives were the party of the past and unless they make radical changes, they will become the new Liberal Party, the party of the wasted vote.
Richard Lamb,
Greystoke Road,
Rawcliffe, York.
...IT is said that when it comes to a General Election, people vote for personalities rather than policies.
Joe Public en masse never ceases to amaze me. Did you think you were voting for Rory Bremner?
How anyone could seriously want another four/five years of being governed by someone who, in my opinion, is a vain pretentious puppet, aided and abetted by a second in command who is a rude, arrogant and from Hull, is quite beyond me.
You've got what you deserve.
David Bell,
Hull Road, York.
...NEW Labour's management of the economy was enough to get a second term, but we must see a distinct improvement in our public services. They must revitalise the National Heath Service, strive for cleaner wards, cut waiting lists and boost morale.
N. Fletcher,
Langton Road,
Updated: 11:02 Monday, June 11, 2001
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