SOME weeks ago I was asked whether, at the forthcoming general election, I would be voting for the prospective Conservative candidate for the constituency of Lancaster and Wyre. At the time I paid little attention to the question, for I knew that the next election would not take place for some time. In retrospect, however, my initial attitude was inappropriate, as the issue of who governs us is of central importance, for although some people are politically indifferent, it should be obvious that all of us are affected by what governments do.

In reality, many of us do not spend any great length of time deliberating over our choice of candidate at election time. This, however, is not a wise course of action - for we should make a rational decision, rather than simply voting in accordance with old family traditions, or being duped by last minute prejudices. What's required is an assessment of the performance of the main competing parties, more specifically of the Blair Labour Government as compared to the almost two decades of Conservative rule which preceded it.

Keeping in mind such an assessment, I find it amazing that many people would even consider voting Conservative at election time, given the horrible heart-breaking way the vast majority of people were treated for the eighteen years the Conservative Party was in office. On the basis of all the most important indices, the successive Thatcher and Major governments were an utter disaster. The terrible conditions many Britons were forced to suffer, involving mass unemployment, inflation, recession and sharpened inequalities, is seared into my consciousness in an unforgettable way. Now, although Blair's Government could be doing more, taken as a whole new Labour's policies constitute a great advancement. Long term economic recovery, the minimum wage, more money for pensioners, a reformed health service, better education-all these achievements are real, and make a positive difference.

So, I can now state to the question that was posed to me some time ago:

No, I will most definitely not be voting Conservative at the forthcoming election!

Simon Blackburn

Lancaster Road

Out Rawcliffe