3 JANUARY 1998, Page 19

Honest John?

Sir: I do not wish to kick a man when he's down, but the headline, 'I've been vindicated' (20/27 December) covering Petronella Wyatt's interview with 'honest John' is totally at odds with history. His ref- erence to success with the economy does not square with the ERM debacle; to claim vindication over Europe and to ignore our subservience to the European Court of Jus- tice, the fiascos that are the Common Fish- eries and Agricultural Policies, and the beef ban et al. do not impress either. In office John Major's vacillation over a coherent European policy led to massive loss of sup- port both amongst Tories and populace, creating the inevitable Conservative rout and Labour triumph.

Vindication?

E. B. Shaxson

8 Oakhurst, Grayshott, Surrey