YOUR analysis (June 15) of the seismic shift in the political map of the Westcountry and your re-affirmation that the WMN has no party political allegiances beyond campaigning for what you believe is the best for the region, is both clear and refreshing. As you also say, a serious debate over competing policies will be welcome and beneficial.

There can be no doubt that during the past 12 years of Labour Government, the region has fallen to the bottom of the list in funding for both education and health as money has been siphoned off to the Labour heartlands, leaving the Westcountry as the poor relation.

While deprived inner city areas obviously need extra funding, the Westcountry has to pay for the high cost of school transport and the health needs of a relatively aged population – which needs have been ignored by this Government.

While the right policies are important, the most critical issue is how to get the policy changes implemented which the Westcountry so desperately needs.

With few Labour MPs, the Westcountry has not been well represented in Government for the past 12 years, which is why the region has received a very raw deal under Labour.

The recent election clearly shows there is a widely held view that it is time for a change and the best chance of getting a better deal for the Westcountry must be to be overwhelmingly represented in the next Government.

With the likelihood of fewer Labour MPs and no realistic prospect of the Liberal Democrats forming the next Government, the best outcome for the Westcountry must be a swathe of Conservative MPs throughout the region who promote the interests of the Westcountry in a new Conservative Government and work towards correcting the injustices of the past 12 years in the Labour/Liberal Democrat wilderness.

It is time for the region to "get back into Government" and the only realistic option is to vote Conservative to get a fair deal for the Westcountry.

Roger Kendrick

Newton Abbot

Weary of EU rule

SO the WMN's resident Europhile, Kate Ironside, hopes the Irish will vote for the Lisbon Treaty this time around – why?

Why should they be asked to vote again because Brussels did not like the "no" result the first time, and why is she so keen for Labour to stay in power long enough to deny the British public a referendum that was promised by that Government?

Such is the nature of the democracy of the European Union and its supporters.

The poor overall turnout in the recent European elections in general and the fact that the Euro-doubtful Conservatives came first with the Eurosceptic UKIP second and the pro-Euro Lib-Dems a poor fourth, even trailing Labour, also proves that people in the UK do not want to have their country run by Europe.

The only reason the BNP picked up two seats is because the disastrous open border policy foisted on EU members has led to runaway immigration into the United Kingdom.

If there were to be an In or Out vote tomorrow there would be no doubt as to the result – we would be out and Kate Ironside and her Europhile friends know it.

Of course, being solid EU supporters, they would probably ask us to vote again and again until we gave them the answer they wanted.

Paul Mercer

Peter Tavy

Antidote to poverty

AT this month's elections I did my citizen's duty and voted, although I understand people who don't. My vote went to the Green Party, as I feel it's the only party which, if in power, would not lead to divisiveness.

It's a shame that it's not given a higher media profile.

Its proposal for the introduction of a citizen's income appears groundbreaking.

It would be paid to each individual, including children, and would eliminate the unemployment and poverty traps, enabling people to choose their own types and patterns of work.

It would not be subject to means testing and there would be no requirement to be either working or actively seeking work.

This seems more generous than the policies of other parties who pay citizens as little as they possibly can while spending huge amounts on deploying our forces in wrong-headed adventuring in other people's countries.

Many struggling young families these days are below the poverty line.

I'm pleased that the power of the two main parties is waning in this country due to the emergence of other political parties: it could lead to an eventual coalition government.

Marilyn Warbis

Plymouth

End Celtic hegemony

THE British Parliament is in meltdown – a disastrous breakdown, especially for England, which effectively has no authoritative government.

At least Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a Government and Assemblies to protect their interests.

The main constitutional change the English want is for their MPs of all parties to demand an English parliament.

Let's have an end to the Celtic hegemony at Westminster which has proved to be so damaging, untenable and unworkable since devolution.

Roger Prescott

Plymouth

Film and crime link

GARY Streeter, Tory MP for South West Devon, was absolutely right when he stated that there is a clear link between violent films and knife crime.

If these things weren't portrayed on the screen they wouldn't be giving any ideas.

I cannot see how some of the rubbish ever gets passed. I suppose it comes down to one thing again – someone is making money out of it all.

Barry Thomas

Redruth