SIR - It is often said that Tony Blair is the Tory Prime Minister the Conservatives never had. To a certain extent you could say that Blair and Brown have benefited from the solid foundations they inherited from Major and Callaghan.

However, the fundamental difference between New Labour and Conservatives is the way that centre to right policies are applied. Whereas Labour is controlling, centralising and state dominant, Conservatives stand for choice, freedom for the individual and empowerment.

It has been like this in transportation issues in this city. In the city council cabinet I have encouraged choice for Worcester people. Although the city council is limited in the extent to which it can influence overall transportation policy, wherever possible, colleagues and I have pressured county and region, and influenced city policy to support greater choice. That means that if people choose to use their cars they should.

In contrast we have fought against Labour policy, which seeks to curb car use by finding ways to prise people out of their cars and force them on to inadequate passenger transport systems. The Conservative policy is to encourage people to use sustainable transport when they choose to, because it is an attractive and viable choice.

To this end we have not grown car parking spaces in the city as Councillor Bob Peachey maintains in his recent letter. We have maintained them and we have invested, making them safer and more attractive.

But we have also been developing joint initiatives with the county on enhanced bus systems, improved cycle routes, improvements for pedestrians and better park-and-rides to make sure we have consistent transportation and parking policies.

Why should we explore the possibility of a multi-storey car park in the south of the city in the heart of the tourist area? Well, it's where tourists and many residents want to park. If we get an innovative scheme that enhances the area without affecting precious views of historic buildings then a number of flat ground car parks around the city could be claimed back as public open spaces .

COUN MARTIN CLARKE,

Cabinet member,

Worcester City Council.