THE spectacle of Tory spokesmen hitting out at Labour ministers for closing hospitals makes you wonder whether to laugh or cry.

Forget for a moment the gross ineptitude of the research which led to the double listing of hospitals, inclusion of a hospital closed down by the Conservatives and figures which don't add up. Do they know whether they are criticising Labour for being too Tory or for not being Tory enough?

Why don't they add on criticism for cutting nurses' real take home pay or the rise in hospital waiting lists, the opposite of Labour's election pledge? Then, they could attack New Labour for being really Tory.

When it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - it's a duck. But it's strange when this is pointed out by a dead duckling. And as for the people who thought they were voting for change at the election, the chickens are coming home to roost.

TONY DAWSON, Forest Road, Southport.

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