IT has now become clear that Labour Party complaints about Tory sleaze really referred to the small scale of the operation.

The odd envelope of tenners or a few nights hotel bill really don't take you very far.

In accordance with their "claimed" belief in open government, instead of a few individuals running a corner shop on the side, the Labour Party seems to have operated a supermarket complete with special officers.

Seats in the House of Lords, passports, jobs in government or on quangos, exemption from advertising restrictions, negotiations with insurance companies and animal rights legislation are all available. On top of this, we now have the Lord Chancellor, who can make or break a lawyer's career, apparently openly touting for offers in a way that a first year law student would recognise as a conflict of interest.

Will we soon be able to read the combined Labour Party manifesto and price list, so that we will all know if we can afford what the Labour Party is offering.

A HODSON, Royshaw Close, Blackburn.