Letter: Blair needs Blackpool

LABOUR'S decision to abandon Blackpool ("Labour rocks Blackpool", 25 March) displays all the prejudices of Little Islington - abandoning the North, the working class and the whole notion of a party with individuals and trade unions making collective democratic decisions through annual conferences.

Nothing illustrates more clearly the social snobbery of this elite, breaking all links with those who brought them into office. This tiny unrepresentative section of upper middle class opinion thinks it can run the country the same way it runs the party. But Blackpool can do without Blair more than Blair can do without Blackpool.

JOHN NICHOLSON

Manchester