I find it sad that what started as a real cry from the heart by Muriel Pushman (Postbag, June 29) about the standards of behaviour of our young people and a worry about our companies being sold off to European and other foreign establishments, plus my layman's attempt to give a balanced response (Postbag, July 13), should have been 'hi-jacked' for political purposes by Ian Morris in the letters page of your July 27 edition.

Is Mr Morris beginning the UK Independence party's electioneering on this issue so soon? I trust that people will see through his letter for what it is - an attempt to win the political high ground way in advance of his rivals.

Peter Hales, Worcester Road, Malvern.