3 MAY 1997, Page 29

Meant to be funny

Sir: In his interesting article on the attitude of Labour's intellectuals towards Tony Blair (`Chattering against Mr Blair', 19 April), Robert Taylor includes a quote from me (`Blair is a minor public-schoolboy without the self-confidence of an old Etoni- an,) which was meant as a humorous, ironic aside rather than a serious social statement. There has been quite enough name-calling in this election.

Martin Jacques

31 Sussex Way, London N7