LETTER : Reasons for the Tory dbcle in the local polls

From Dr Howard A. Jones

Sir: So John Major thinks that "party disunity" is the main cause of the Tory annihilation in last week's local elections (reports, 6 May).

It is equally likely that at least some of those who do still vote Tory do so for just the opposite reason: because there are at least some men and women of principle in the party who vote the way they know their constituents would want them to vote rather than follow the dictates of the party whip. The "rebels" have saved us from some of the excesses of Tory policy on more than one occasion.

There is a certain irony in the fact that this dbcle happened at the time when we are remembering the defeat of fascism in Europe. This government shares the same fear and rejection of anything that hints at socialism. Mr Major's statement that, despite overwhelming rejection by the electorate, they would not modify policies shows the same authoritarian disregard for the will of the people. The Government has the same obsession with political dogma - in this instance, that profit is the only reason for the operation of any enterprise. And, most insidious of all, since 1979 it has espoused the principle of creating an lite of the rich and powerful to the detriment of the ordinary men and women on whom the success of this country depends - their interpretation, no doubt, of the Nietzschean Superman philosophy that was such an inspiration to the Third Reich. Are we sure we have seen an end to fascism in Europe?

Yours faithfully,

HOWARD A. JONES

Whitland, Dyfed