JOHN Major, the politician who turned drabness into an art form, has been exposed as the Bill Clinton of the Tory party.

Not only did he have a four-year affair with Edwina Currie, he also - if you believe some of the stories in the national papers - tried it on with at least two other Tory women MPs.

This all happened before he became PM and famously launched his 'back to basics' crusade for a return to moral behaviour. It has certainly changed for good our view of the 'grey man of politics'. But has it destroyed or improved Major's image? And should Edwina have kissed and told in the way she apparently has?

Dorothy Dawson, 63, chair of the York Conservative Supper Club and a keen public speaker

"It shows that we're not a grey party, doesn't it? It shows there is life in the Tory party.

I have met John Major and Edwina Currie personally, and when it first flashed across the TV screens I could not believe it. They're like chalk and cheese. He's very thoughtful. I always thought of John Major as a father figure. Edwina is completely flighty, full of fun. I could see her going all out to seduce him. The fact that he succumbed to it, that is amazing.

If she had spilt the beans when he was Prime Minister, it could have caused havoc. It is mind shattering. I think she's a good Conservative and I think she thought that at this time it would not do any harm. There is always some kind of bombshell just before the Tory conference, which is next week. This year it is Edwina.

But I still think she should have kept quiet even now. It will make her book sell but it wasn't necessary.

I like both John Major and Edwina Currie. MPs live quite an abnormal life, and a lot of the time they are away from home. It is a lonely life, and it is not surprising that it throws people together. But Norma is the real victim, and I feel very sorry for her."

Katherine Hague, 36, manager of the Monks Cross shopping park

"I definitely don't think John Major is the grey man of politics any more. The comment from my husband this morning was totally 'go on, lad, get in there.'

I don't think adultery is good, but obviously he had his reasons at the time. It has really changed everybody's view of him. I suppose it has lightened people's views of him. Whether the effect is positive or negative we will just have to wait and see.

You can see why she has done it. There is her book and it is part of her life. But I think he should have been consulted. It seems to have been quite a shock. I think she should have told him and let the family gird their loins against it.

She is going o sell a lot more books now. Not that you really want to read about John Major!"

Updated: 10:00 Tuesday, October 01, 2002