Sir, In Plan of Attack (Simon and Schuster, 2004) Bob Woodward reports misgivings in the White House as to political support in London for Tony Blair when the invasion of Iraq was being planned. It was thought that if one Cabinet minister resigned Mr Blair could survive. If two resigned, he might fail. At that time only one, Robin Cook, resigned.
Today you report that Mr Blair has been told that senior ministers will resign if he reneges on promises that a Bill banning foxhunting will become law before the next election. Are these the same senior ministers who failed to resign over Iraq? If so, were they all taken in by the “evidence” of weapons of mass destruction, or are they deficient in a sense of what is important?
Yours faithfully,
M. D. T. EVANS,
Undermount,
Cranbrook Road, Benenden,
Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4ET.
August 24.
From Dr Anthony Field
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Sir, The hunting fraternity are their own worst enemies. Many people agree that foxes, like all vermin, have to be culled; and further that hunting is the best means of control. What most people find unacceptable is the celebration of death, as expressed with red coats, hunting horns and stirrup cups.
This whole matter makes a nonsense of Parliament by taking up valuable time which should be spent on much more important national matters.
Yours truly,
A. FIELD,
152 Cromwell Tower,
Barbican, EC2Y 8DD.
August 24.
From Mrs Catriona Cook
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Sir, In my view the effect on the economy if senior ministers resign over the lack of progress of the Bill abolishing hunting will be negligible. But if the Bill is passed, the resulting criminalisation of a broad swath of people, such as judges, JPs, doctors, nurses, lorry drivers and others will seriously damage the smooth running of this country.
Yours sincerely,
CATRIONA COOK,
Burgate Farm, Harwood Dale,
Scarborough, Yorkshire YO13 0DS.
August 26.