SO Mike Foster has promised not to be a stooge for spin doctors, by giving straight answers to questions when asked.

This, one would think might jeopardise his position, because if at this late stage he starts giving us the facts regarding the NHS, our schools, a depleted police force, vandalism and so on, he will have to tell us that on these issues "New Labour" has achieved very little.

I think he will struggle to come up with straight answers - but in my experience he won't be on his own. Whoever heard of an MP in any party coming out with a straight answer? Perhaps Labour's Dennis Skinner is the exception.

D PARKER,

Worcester.