November 6.

One of the most amusing features of the US presidential election was

George Bush citing the example of John Major's late surge to victory

against poll predictions earlier this year as an indicator that he too

would defy the odds and be returned to the White House.

I believe a more relevant comparison is, in fact, George Bush's

rejection by the US electorate and the warning that should pose for John

Major.

Bush became President after eight years of Reaganomics when the

President appeared to have a clear vision and a definite political and

economic agenda -- however hard that is to believe of Ronald Reagan.

The same could not be said of George Bush. ''He doesn't seem to stand

for anything,'' his predecessor once remarked, and the US electorate

gave its verdict on the man who found it hard to grasp ''the vision

thing''.

John Major became Prime Minister after nearly 13 years of Thatcherism,

a definite if not universally liked political philosophy, and was

fortunate to have only held the office a short time before this year's

General Election.

He may say much and promise many things, but he too doesn't seem to

stand for anything. The British electorate will one day deliver their

verdict on him, too.

Paul Joseph Cuddihy,

7 Graham Terrace,

Bishopbriggs,

Glasgow.