A YEAR ago, I warned that the politicians were sleepwalking us into an open-ended war.

One respected columnist wrote last month: "War is dirty, obscene and is never fought by the men who declare it."

In next month's local elections, it is possible that many of you will vote enthusiastically for the local representatives of New Labour.

But their Prime Minister and Cabinet members are unlikely to put on a uniform themselves - yet have sent so many of our youngsters to face the armies and citizens of Iraq.

FRANK L JONES, Malvern.