AS a lifelong Labour supporter, I thought we would be better when Gordon Brown replaced Tony Blair, but alas, he is "disappointing".

Troops risk life and limb still in a war which should be of no concern to our country, unlike World War II.

As chancellor he helped pensioners with fuel payments, free TV licences for the over 75s and the national minimum wage for low paid workers.

Pensioner credits replaced the wording of minimum income guarantee of £180 a week.

I rang the department of work and pensions giving them my national insurance number. I was quickly informed I was entitled to £9.25 a week more, backdated to the previous year. I was pleased to receive a cheque for this. I welcome my new improved free bus pass. This was the chancellor who reduced VAT on fuel from 17.5 per cent to the minimum allowed - five per cent.

If Mrs Thatcher was so good, then why did her own MPs throw her from office? Can any local Tories tell me that? I don't trust them anyway.

George Williams, Fords Row, Redruth.