HAVING received a copy of the society magazine, Limited Edition I was intrigued by the feature on Bromsgrove's MP, Julie Kirkbride in which she said, "Michael (Howard) is a viable alternative to Tony Blair because he's the complete opposite."

To me Blair and Howard are both right-wing war-mongering politicians. There was no difference in their position on the illegal invasion of Iraq.

Their domestic policies also appear to be virtually identical. New Labour is a Tory government. Both are intent on stealing foreign resources, bowing to big business, remaining the second largest exporter of arms in the world, and constantly lying to the public.

I was in Cotteridge, Birmingham, to hear Lynne Jones, Labour MP, outlining her opposition to the war and the party line. I have never seen Michael Howard, or anyone from the Conservatives, take such a truthful stance as she did. She said: 'Clearly the invasion was wrong...thousands killed...thousands of lives plunged into misery,' and, 'Blair would not have got his majority without the Tories supporting the war.'

If Michael Howard were really the complete opposite to Blair, he would be saying what Lynne Jones and millions of others have been saying for months.

Neil Laurenson

The Oakalls

Bromsgrove