Letter: The death of James Bulger; imprisonment of young offenders; causes of criminality

Sir: The appalling tragedy of baby James Bulger and countless other cases causes me to wonder whether this country will ever have a government strong enough and with the political will to address the breakdown of all decent moral values.

I well remember the Tory party returning to power partly on a platform of law and order, and I would suggest that for a start the schoolboy behaviour that we see televised from the House should be set aside, and Members of Parliament on all sides remind themselves just who it is they represent. Put a referendum to the country on the question of capital and corporal punishment, and let the silent majority of law-abiding citizens have their say.

It is time we gave retribution to, and not mealy-mouthed excuses for, the perpetrators; all sympathy should be directed to the poor, unfortunate victims.

Yours faithfully,

ROY GRAVER

Norwich,

Norfolk

16 February