Letter: In Brief

Sir: Steve Richards is right to suggest that New Labour's emphasis on discipline is a product of Old Labour's disarray and inability to cope with the media age ("Blair must stop Campbell and company spinning out of control", 7 August).

However, his conclusion that Labour's enforcers should lighten up and allow more dissent and criticism is barmy. It is a rule of politics that people do not vote for parties which appear split, or whose members spend more time attacking each other than the opposition. John Major found that out as surely as Michael Foot.

Labour's current poll lead would vanish like snowflakes in the sunshine if the Government appeared riven with dissent - so carry on spinning.

PAUL RICHARDS

London W6