Letter: Eyes and ears for the rich

YOUR LEADING article (27 December) argues that New Labour must take heed of the lessons of the Mandelson affair and return to some of its roots in valuing fairness, equality, community and solidarity for ordinary people.

The problem is that the only lesson Blair seems to have learned from the experience is that Mandelson made a mistake by being found out. Borrowing huge sums, socialising with the rich, while at the same time apparently doing his best to undermine proposals for fairness at work were not mistakes in Blair's eyes.

If we want a Labour Government that pays more attention to the agenda of the ordinary people who voted for it - for jobs, public services, housing and so on - we will have to campaign and protest for it. Otherwise Blair will continue to have eyes and ears for the rich only.

KEITH FLETT

London N17