ALL the letters regarding politics fail to mention the only moral social system ever devised by man - laissez-faire capitalism.

Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned.

The role and function of the Government is the protection of individual rights - with a separation of state and economics.

You must remember that individual rights and property rights are concomitant, without the right to your property you have no right to life.

We are at the stage where the Government is free to do anything it pleases while the citizens may act only by permission, which is the stage of the darkest periods of history - the stage of rule by brute force.

For your life and freedom you should advocate laissez faire capitalism

MATTHEW SOUTHWORTH, Scotland Bank Terrace, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.