THERE is no doubt that the vast majority of people in Britain now have a higher standard of living.

People have more choice of food and consumer goods, better health care, are better educated and more informed by the media, travel more and have greater personal freedom - than ever before.

So why is there more crime, social problems and protest on the streets, etc?

It is simply that the mass of people now expect far more out of life than in the past.

They are no longer prepared to accept second best.

And the reason for this is a breakdown in the once-accepted class, social and religious order.

This is not just confined to Britain - it is happening right across the world.

In the coming century, the main problem all governments will face will be how to satisfy the growing expectations of their people with limited national resources.

JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.

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