Sir, - The election results recently announced have provoked the usual reactions from the various political parties but the one that really matters is the obvious view of the electorate.

When "New Labour" got into power, one of the first things Gordon Brown did was to levy a £5bn tax on pension funds. This sum, on a compound interest basis, would now be something like £20bn. This had severe repercussions for the pension industry and has affected many thousands of honest citizens, who have had their pensions squeezed as a result of this monetary steal.

In the UK we are probably the highest taxed people in the Western World despite this Government's pledge that it would not put up taxes. How hollow this now sounds.

Local government taxes have soared disastrously over the past six years while standards have dropped. Today you will find more taxpayers emptying their rubbish at the rubbish dumps than council staff. They are being forced to do this due to the inability of councils to provide a proper service. I repeat this is despite the annual tax levied which has no relation to inflation. The people will not forget this.

Transport is a mess, people at Harrogate queued for many hours to get on to the list of a health service dentist (I believe without luck) and I had to wait seven months after being examined before I received a hearing aid.

The above is why New Labour did badly in the elections. To blame the party's troubles on Iraq is just another excuse. It has failed the country and must go.

C W O'LOUGHLIN

Oak Tree Avenue,

Scotton,

Catterick Garrison.

Disappearing bench

Sir, - A few weeks ago, a wooden bench that had stood for some time near the bus-stop at the West End of Osmotherley mysteriously disappeared.

It offered a welcome seat for anyone passing, but was especially welcome in the summer for waiting bus passengers. It is most sorely missed.

Subsequent enquiries quickly revealed that the "culprit" in this case was none other than Broadacres Housing Association in Stokesley, which claimed that the seat was in a dangerous condition and that its removal was indicated following a survey of nearby residents.

According to this so-called "survey", this seat was not wanted by residents and had attracted litter left by passing walkers. There was, however, no glaringly-obvious major structural damage to this bench.

I have since spoken to no fewer than five different residents, none of whom knew anything about this survey - indeed, I have yet to find any resident who was "surveyed". And as for the claim about litter, my mother passed this spot daily over several years and never saw a trace!

Broadacres further contended that, as the bench had been provided by an unknown benefactor, it was not its responsibility to replace it, and in any case, it did not stand on Broadacres land.

When I contacted Broadacres on June 7, I was promised that this matter would be looked into, but no further explanation has since been given. The removal of this bench is the last straw.

Not only has Osmotherley Parish Council refused to construct a bus-shelter at this inhospitable spot as the result of a flawed survey that it conducted earlier, but now this bench has been removed, also as the result of a survey that looks equally dodgy.

My mother, nearly 84, unable to drive, and hardly able to walk because of a painful arthritic condition, is apparently required to stand whilst waiting for the bus, without benefit of seat or shelter. And there are other people nearby, young as well as old, who would probably be grateful if such facilities were available.

Why are local organisations in rural areas so callously indifferent to the needs of the less fortunate, and apparently determined to make life as difficult as possible for people without cars?

STUART ROBINSON

Osmotherley.

We need a treaty

Sir, - Last month ten new countries, eight of which suffered decades of Communism, joined the EU. This is something to celebrate.

Europe is now almost reunited, whole and free. But a Europe of 25 will struggle to function effectively with rules and institutions designed for a Europe of Six.

That is why we need the constitutional treaty. Helping the EU to work better by streamlining its decision-making. And if it's in Britain's interest to be a member of the EU, then it's also in our interest that the EU be as effective as possible.

In this new, more effective Europe, nation states will be firmly in the driving seat. The treaty makes it clear that the EU is a union of nation states, each with their own elected government, not a European superstate.

It explicitly states that the EU's powers derive from its member states, not the other way round. The Council of Ministers, which brings together ministers from member states, will remain the highest legislative body in the EU.

Moreover, the treaty significantly enhances the role of national parliaments. It proposes that if a third of them oppose a piece of EU legislation, they would have the right to force the European Commission to review it.

It is vitally important that we debate the facts about the constitutional treaty. That we counter myth and hyperbola with truth and reason. We British must not lose sight of the bigger picture.

This referendum is about much more than the detail of a rather dull treaty. It is a battle for Britain's future. Pro-Europeans believe that Britain benefits from being at the heart of Europe.

Our opponents short on patriotism would rather we were semi-detached from Europe - or as far from it as possible.

JOE KEENAN

Regional Director - Britain in Europe

Drinkwater House,

Middlesbrough.