Letter: Cut the jargon as a Labour of love

From Mr Roger Beeson

Sir: Labour's attempt to revise Clause IV bodes ill for those who want clear English to become the norm in public life (" `Defining moment' as Blair wins backing for Clause IV", 14 March). All I could see was a string of jargon phrases which led nowhere. I read it 10 times and its meaning was no clearer.

Ours is a society in which jargon and "foggy" English is used to exclude, cheat and confuse the general public. Lawyers grow fat on it, public servants hide behind it, and criminals exploit us with it.

Labour would do us a great favour by making a manifesto commitment to clear (jargon-free) English in all aspects of public life.

Yours faithfully,

ROGER BEESON

London, SW18

14 March