20 SEPTEMBER 2003, Page 38

His party, right or wrong

From Mark Taha • Sir: I entirely share Leo McKinstry's opinion of Roy Hattersley (`I prefer the tub of lard', 13 September). To me, he's an old Labour hack whose claim to libertarian principles is a sick joke. Apart from his record of toeing the party line in support of the closed shop, high taxation and compulsory incomes policy, he's a zealot for the European Union and the race relations industry, wants to ban boxing and opposes liberalising gambling. Has this man ever thought of minding his own business? Silly question.

Mark Taha

London SE26