LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Straw debate and a public interest

From Mr Simon Rostron

Sir, The debate about Jack and William Straw (reports, January 3) should
not be about invasion of privacy, alleged entrapment by a journalist nor
about Jack Straw's conduct, admirable though this has been.

Since his appointment, the Home Secretary has taken a strong line against
the legalisation of any drugs and, separately, has supported the former
Government's moves towards the formalisation of parental responsibility in
cases of breaches of the law by juveniles (report, September 26). In these
circumstances, any suggestion that the revelations of William Straw's
alleged drug-dealing activities are not in the public interest is, in my
view, incredible.

Yours faithfully,
SIMON ROSTRON,
The Mount, Cliff Road,
Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0EW.
January 4.

From Mr Richard Moss

Sir, I wonder if Jack Straw will be enrolling himself in good parenting
classes as he is so fond of portraying these as a cure for teenage
misdemeanours.

Yours faithfully,
RICHARD MOSS,
74 Aylesbury Close,
Norwich NR3 3LB.
xmv38@dial.pipex.com
January 2.

From Mr David Bage

Sir, One of the more unsavoury aspects of politics in recent years has been
the willingness of politicians to seize upon the family embarrassments
and/or character defects of their opponents and use them to their own
political advantage. This was particularly evident in the recent general
election campaign.

Since the election I think I detect a change in the climate of debate. I
begin to hope that politicians will be more responsible and will restrict
debate to policies, not personalities. The recent personal difficulties
being faced by Cabinet ministers give all politicians a chance to prove
that a new age is upon us and that they accept that personal problems are
none of their business.

Yours faithfully,
DAVID BAGE,
Forge Cottage, Lynsted,
Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 0RH.
January 3.