ANOTHER glossy leaflet arrives from the Conservative Party yet again full of promises but with very little detail on the practicalities of what they propose. Two examples spring to mind.

"We will provide 633 more police on the beat" - given that this number is for the whole of West Mercia, it averages out at 126 per division, which in the case of Worcester, stretches from Tenbury to Evesham.

Assuming a three-shift working day, that equates to 42 more officers per shift.

However, this does not take into account officers engaged in other normal activities such as training, attending court or being on leave. So how many extra bodies would actually be on the beat at any one time and how thinly would they be spread?

"Conservatives to limit immigration" - whatever Mr Howard may say, he has no power to push through this policy without agreement in Brussels, as this is one of many areas now governed by EU-wide treaties.

Given that most immigrants fulfil useful roles in our economy, often doing jobs others will not take on, and that a large proportion return to their home countries eventually, what would be the effect of the sort of restrictions he seems to be proposing?

Who will take on the cleaning jobs, the vegetable-picking jobs, the public transport jobs, often paying no more than the minimum wage?

Perhaps the surplus civil servants he claims to have found and wishes to sack will be expected to take on such tasks.

It seems more likely that services will deteriorate or the cost of living will rise as wages are forced up to try to fill vacancies in unpopular but vital jobs. Either way, the outcome will be of no benefit to the rest of us.

Similar questions arise in respect of virtually every policy the Conservatives have put forward in their campaign - are they really a viable alternative on May 5?

A REECE,

Worcester.