I AGREE wholeheartedly with P Watson's letter ("Stop ranting Ben", March 2).

I can't help wondering if Ben Drake has some connection with the Evening Press because as well as being a frequent letter writer, he even had half a page to himself just recently when he was again attempting to verbally bludgeon people into dismissing any party that does not agree with what he thinks is politically acceptable.

Who does he think he is? Everyone has a right (at the moment) to make up their own minds as to who they vote for, be it BNP or any other party.

There will be a lot of people out there who are more intelligent than Mr Drake may imagine, and hopefully will take his "facts" with a large pinch of salt. Just like I do when this government makes a statement of some kind.

Let's hope we never have a government of the same political persuasion as Mr Drake, although, come to think of it, this New Labour lot is pretty close to it.

M Bowker,

Deepdale, York.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, March 05, 2004