LABOUR SHAME...: IT is heartening to note that Labour MPs, councillors and party members still holding Labour beliefs and principles are starting to fight back against the de facto Tories who infiltrated and took over the party.

Nationally and locally, so-called Labour leaders eagerly embrace the selfish, greed-fuelled policies of Mrs Thatcher.

Durham County Council boasts of paying huge sums to private contractors while ignoring its duty to improve the lives of vulnerable citizens.

Its public transport policy, in parallel with that of Arriva, is forcing people to become car owners or lose jobs. Elderly people are being denied access to any amenities if they are unable to walk long distances.

Councillor Ken Manton, leader of the council, is displaying his distaste for Labour principles and democracy itself in his determination to close council care homes to divert more of our taxes into private hands.

Shortly, these Thatcherites will be soliciting our votes, unblushingly describing themselves as caring social democrats.

Bevan and Shinwell and others must be turning in their graves because of the shame brought to the party by people driven by a lust for personal power, rather than concern for others. - J V Scott, Town Kelloe.

...AND DISGRACE

IT is appalling what we are reading about New Labour and the shenanigans of late.

But the story on the Commons vote on the Education Bill (Echo, Mar 16), where Labour was saved by the Tories, is nothing new. Stockton's Labour group is propped up by the backing of the Tories, which is galling in local politics.

Labour throughout the country is now being shown for what it really is. Take all the tribunal cases Durham/Stockton/Thornaby - all instigated by Labour's arrogance and bullying tactics, though now being paid for by the council tax payers.

In the areas named, the problems are miniscule compared to central government mortgage scandals, loan scandals, sex scandals, jobs for the boys/girls, and on and on it could go.

It's a disgrace and, personally, I think Labour Party members should now be hanging their heads in shame and either resign public office or be sacked. - K Robertson, Thornaby.

WHAT RIGHT?

RE your story, Labour chiefs resign in care home closures row (Echo, Mar 30). I understand the local Labour Party is a private, as distinct from public, organisation, which puts up candidates for election to Durham County Council.

I presume that it has its own office premises and does not own or rent County Hall, which is publicly owned.

I am therefore left wondering by what right the Labour Group of councillors serving on the county council consider they should be able to use County Hall and its facilities to hold private meetings on an issue which affects services for the people of County Durham, in some cases attended by officials from their regional office.

Would a Labour councillor care to enlighten me and other people? - J Routledge, Witton Gilbert.

STADIUM PLANS

I READ (ECHO, Apr 3) that agents for Darlington Football Club have warned that the club could go into receivership if plans for music, boxing, religious and other events are not passed next month by the council's planning committee.

At a previous planning meeting, when permission for car boot sales at the stadium was sought, the planning officer and also the chair of the committee emphasised that the dire financial situation of the football club could not be considered or used as a lever for any planning application.

Councillor John Williams, leader of the council, at that time disregarded the direction of the officers.

He said then: "We have many thousands of people working their socks off to save the stadium at the moment. This would be a kick in the teeth for Darlington football heritage if the application was refused."

So, what has changed?

The club is now proposing to hold evening boxing matches at the stadium. The last time a boxing event was held at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington, the fans wrecked the room and the council said there would be no more boxing matches held on council premises. Does it now intend to permit late night violent boxing events so near to residential properties on Neasham Road? - Name supplied, Darlington.

THE Quakers made a mistake moving into a new ground which seems to be in the wrong place as far as a lot of people are concerned.

The new ground would never be viable with football alone with the support the club gets at matches. Feethams was located in a good position for the fans to enjoy over the past years. Memories have gone. Will the new stadium go the same way as Feethams - being built on?

Will we still have a football team to represent the town? - N Tate, Darlington.

NEVILLE FEARNEYHOUGH

BELATEDLY, I noted the comments from John Antill (HAS, Mar 24) regarding the RAF career of the former Darlington Town Clerk, Neville Fearneyhough, who died recently.

Readers may be interested to know that Mr Fearneyhough flew with Bomber Command as a Sergeant Air Bomber in the crew of a Halifax bomber which was shot down over Holland on May 1, 1943.

The aircraft was flying from RAF Elvington, near York, when it was shot down by a German nightfighter, killing five of Mr Fearneyhough's crew. He and another crew member escaped by parachute.

Hence his wearing of the Caterpillar Club Badge, which was presented by the parachute manufacturer Irvin in recognition of using one of their products successfully. He managed to evade capture until July 25, 1943 when he was arrested in Paris.

On May 8, we celebrate the 61st Anniversary of VE Day. It is right that we should remember the likes of Neville Fearneyhough and those from all branches of the Armed Forces who gave their today for our tomorrow. - David Thompson, Cleveland and District Branch of the Aircrew Association.

CHRISTIAN LOGGERHEADS

THE Reverend John Stephenson writes (HAS, Apr 6) to disagree with Echo columnist Peter Mullen, who is also a member of the cloth.

Peter Mullen is a great addition to the Echo, and his no-nonsense views on immigration and the war in Iraq reflect what the majority of this nation feels, people who are often labelled as "racists" and "anti-pacifists" by the left-wing brigade.

Mr Stephenson has had a handful of written pops at Peter Mullen in Hear All Sides, yet the clergyman never rises to the bait as he acknowledges free speech.

I am not too sure what Mr Stephenson is hoping to gain from his protest letters. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

IDENTITY QUESTION

ANN Oliver, from Middlesbrough, (HAS, Apr 6) asked if the correspondent Tom Blenkinsop, who defended Labour's acceptance of anonymous loans (HAS, Mar 24) was a member of the Labour Party.

The only light I can shed on this is that numerous people here in Middlesbrough are receiving letters from Mr Blenkinsop (via MP Ashok Kumar's constituency office in Guisborough) asking if they would like to stand as a Labour councillor in the local elections in 2007.

Draw your own conclusions. - Joan McTigue, Independent Councillor, Middlesbrough.

CAMPAIGN EYE-OPENER

THE successful campaign for the future of Hurworth School has opened the eyes of many of us to the manner in which "local democracy" operates in Darlington.

The campaign was ultimately won because the plans defied educational good sense and resulted in overwhelming public support for Hurworth School.

Now, with the support of the Prime Minister, Hurworth as a foundation school will be free of the shackles of the dogmatic and politically-motivated interference of Darlington Borough Council.

Those of us in the front line of the campaign will find it difficult to forget the behaviour of many of those in positions of influence at the council.

Whether it is council officers and employees backing their own political establishment to the detriment of common sense, or Cabinet members turning their back on the Darlington public, the position of many at the council has become untenable.

Perhaps their lowest point came with the quote of "educational cleansing by social class". Has there ever been such an offensive, or indeed, inaccurate statement made by a council leader?

For this comment alone, anybody with any conscience at all would have stepped down immediately.

However, a few rays of light did emerge through the political gloom, with certain individual councillors from all major parties listening to the debate in an open and transparent way.

These people emerged with considerable credit and I would like to thank them once again for their support and assistance throughout the campaign (they know who they are).

Recent quotes in The Northern Echo have not removed doubts about the council's ability to stand by its current position, but rest assured there will be no complacency on the part of the Hurworth School community, and we will be following every move of the council very closely. - Ian Holme, Darlington.

WHO CARES?

NOW that Hurworth School has achieved its goal with the help of much publicity and help from influential people (we do not begrudge them their victory), we would like to ask who cares about Eastbourne School?

The school has its fair share of bullies and disruptive pupils who do not want to learn and don't want anyone else to, but what about the pupils who do want to learn and have ambitions, and feel they are being failed miserably?

We do not want promises that things will get better soon. We have had promises before which have been broken, therefore we want something done today. A suggestion would be more authority and discipline brought in to the school. Don't the other children of Eastbourne deserve the same high standards as Hurworth? - D Ashton, Darlington.

LAUGHS APART

IF it wasn't so serious, one would have to laugh.

Some months ago, Darlington Borough Council was up to its old trick of closing two schools and providing a new one so that they could sell the closed schools, with their playing fields, for development. As we know, however, Hurworth School would not play ball.

In stepped Tony Blair offering one of his city academies, even though Darlington is not a city and might not qualify as a unitary authority. The council seized the opportunity with glee, thinking how they would have extra money to do up those schools in need of repair. Hurworth School did not want any of it and so steps in Alan Milburn.

We end up with half an academy, provided that its size qualifies, to transfer the pupils of Eastbourne School. The pupils will exchange a secular school for a faith school, so going back 100 years or so. Will the Church of England be prepared to accept all the children from Eastbourne whatever their faith?

Still, the council can sell Eastbourne School to developers and, who knows, party funds may receive a donation. - John W Antill, Darlington.