LETTER : Short road to a Labour victory

Sir: I was glad to read Clare Short's comments on taxation and even more pleased by her declaration that she had cleared them with herself ("Blair's joy cut short by new tax row", 15 April).

I would like Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson to know that so long as Clare Short is in the Shadow Cabinet I feel that I will have some reason to vote Labour at the next election. I would urge them both to make full use in Labour's campaign of her weapons of truth and honesty.

Lindsay Meller

Southampton