WHEN writing to this newspaper, I do not normally mention the writer whose views I am opposing in the hope that they will recognise themselves and avoid confrontation.

However, I must say how very annoyed I was to read Gordon Bennetti’s letter (February 22) in which he concludes that any supporter of the Labour Party must be a past or failed politician.

I can assure him that I am neither.

I am the ordinary Joe Public to which he refers, one who does not trust the Tories any further than he can throw them, which at my age is not very far.

Whilst this country remains the one with the biggest difference in Europe between the rich and poor, with struggling schools and hospitals, and fat cats getting ever fatter I shall retain that opinion.

When Mr Bennetti puts my name into his search engine and fails to find any reference to my political activity, I would very much like an apology, but I doubt I shall get it.

Clive Blackmore

Stroud