LIKE many, I saw New Labour as a welcome, alternative to a tired, compromised and corrupt Conservative government.

The example set by the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is hardly admirable. To hear Tony Blair publicly support Mr Cook defies belief.

It certainly suggests more problems for the young in sorting out moral values. I begrudge my taxes being used to keep Mr Cook's floozey in comfort and find his behaviour contemptible.

In the best traditions of double standards, Geoffrey Robinson, the Paymaster General, appears to have a credibility problem as the beneficiary of tax loopholes and closing them for the rest of us. Last, but not least, Dr Mo Mowlem's unashamed appeasement policy to all terrorists underlines the point, if it needs to be said, that terrorism does pay.

Not yet one year into its term, this government has already compromised itself as one of low moral values, double standards and dubious leadership.

Sadly, I fear it will do very little for our world standing or help raise moral or ethical standards at home. Where are all our statesmen?

PHILIP CONGDON, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

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