Letter: Mandelson's loan

Sir: The disclosure of Peter Mendelson's large loan to purchase a rather upmarket house illustrates how New Labour has become out of touch, showing an attitude of pretentious grandeur compared with so many people who struggle from day to day to keep the roof of what it is often a rather small home over their heads.

MPs, whether in government or opposition, are given a very good allowance to enable them to buy or rent more than adequate accommodation when in London away from their constituency homes.

DAN DRAPER

Cowes, Isle of Wight