SO Tony Blair announces the elections in a stage-managed event. How typical of New Labour. No questions were allowed. No ordinary voters were present.

Mr Blair's audience was made up of school children too young to vote.

This is fantasy politics. Spin slips easily off Mr Blair's tongue. He promised to put more police on the beat. Police numbers have actually fallen. Labour promises to cut hospital waiting lists and times, both have got longer.

Tony Blair promises not to raise taxes. Stealth taxes have cost each of us a packet.

As a teacher I can certainly say that Mr Blair has made my job harder. What is the point of giving him another four years?

FRANCIS LANKESTER, Worcester.