PAUL McGurty (Letters, January 17) can obviously spot a bandwagon when he sees one. He leaps on board to criticise the Prime Minister for taking too much interest in foreign affairs.

This seems an amazing charge, given the extraordinary events of September 11 and my guess is that most British citizens will well understand Tony Blair's concentration on helping to build and maintain the world coalition that has defeated the Taliban and started the process of bringing some stability to Afghanistan.

Mr McGurty says it is 'ridiculous' for the Prime Minister to travel to trouble spots and offer Britain's help, but, again, most Britons will recognise that the very real prospect of war between India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers, presents a huge threat to the post-September 11 coalition and to world peace.

As the former colonial power, Britain has a sizeable influence in both countries and, quite rightly, Tony Blair decided to try and use that influence to turn both countries from the path of war.

Of course there are problems in Britain, that need resolution, but politics is about priorities and, in recent months, Tony Blair has made it his priority to try to prevent another incident like Septeber 11. Who, besides Mr McGurty, thinks that is wrong?

PHIL RILEY (Secretary, Blackburn Labour Party), Pleckgate Road, Blackburn.