MY dad, a regular correspondent here (Geoff Bulmer), wrote to Tony Blair in 1995 resigning his membership of the Labour Party over the decision to abandon Clause 4 of the party's constitution.

The response from Tony Blair was a testament to the sort of leader he was and highlights his popular appeal. The then new leader of the Labour Party responded with a two page handwritten letter detailing his commitment to social justice. He took time out for a genuine and authentic response. My dad wasn't convinced by his argument but it showed Blair's commitment to communicate with the whole electorate.

The second story goes back to 1987 when Tony Blair spoke to sixth form students while campaigning to become MP for Sedgefield. Friends who saw the young aspirant politician speak still talk about his ease with people and the way he conveyed a progressive vision, at that time as part of a distinctly left-of- centre manifesto. It was his substance as a person that impressed.

The next leader Labour needs to be at ease with all people, communicate effectively and reach out to all parts of the electorate. There is often much talk of Tony Blair's centrist politics being core to his appeal, I think his personal strengths are often overlooked and these are characteristics that are required for the next leader of the Labour Party.

Richard Bulmer, Sheffield.