Letter: Blair's new morality

Sir: Mr Blair aspires to help Britain acquire "a new national moral purpose" ("Blair in crusade for better morals", 6 September). Good. Then let him begin by leading us to care more for what we hold and inhabit in common. And in particular let him risk trying to persuade us to welcome higher taxes in order to fund higher public spending.

He is wrong to suppose that "no one likes paying tax" ("Ministers in revolt over Blair's plan for tax cuts", 6 September). I for one would gladly pay more, if it would relieve me of the shame I too often feel as I walk our streets. And, no, I never voted for Old Labour.

By all means, let government be efficient and accountable. But let it also be sufficiently funded to provide public facilities of which we can all be proud.