HOW useless most of our MPs are.

We elected them to make the nation kinder to people, to protect the environment, and work for world peace.

They sit there, sheep-like, as they are told of Mr Blair's wonderful achievements.

In fact, to use two examples only of special interest to York, we have a health service in serious trouble; and a rail service also losing staff.

Meanwhile, Iraq and Afghanistan are dissolving into chaos at the cost of British lives, and at the bidding of a foreign power.

We should withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan after being fed with spurious reasons as to why we are there.

The millions, billions saved will rescue our hospitals. We should enthusiastically encourage rail travel, and open up the sadly abandoned secondary lines with their finely built bridges and viaducts, get people out of cars, and help to save the environment.

Moves like these require imagination. But whoever heard of a politician with imagination?

Roy Stevens, Willow Bank, New Earswick, York.