PHIL Riley's defence of Tony Blair's trips abroad (Letters, February 7) would have been more credible if Mr Blair had visited Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe is waging a reign of terror in a desperate attempt to hold on to power in the coming elections.

No, Mr Blair prefers to go where he will be assured of lots of nice photo opportunities. Far better from his angle to do that than to try and solve some of his domestic problems caused by the policies of his own government.

Jack Straw must feel almost redundant as Foreign Secretary.

COUNCILLOR D PEARSON, Blackburn with Darwen Council.