A long-standing grievance in my village, like many others, is that its young people can't afford to buy houses there. A few years ago the problem was eased by the building of four 'affordable' rented homes, owned by a housing association.

Again in common with other country villages, the number of council houses had dwindled through Margaret Thatcher's right-to-buy policy. To safeguard the remainder, in my village and throughout the district, Tory-controlled Hambleton District Council converted its housing department into a housing association. Neighbouring councils, including Ryedale, which is also deeply Tory, have done the same.

So the Tory-initiated right-to-buy policy has caused its greatest anguish in the Tory shires. Yet the most loudly-trumpeted of the 25 new policies proclaimed at the Tory conference is extending the right to buy to housing association tenants. The conference was meant to re-connect the Tory party with many disaffected sections of the community but this evidence suggests the party isn't even in touch with its own supporters.

THE other day I read an article describing how a woman acted as a medical guinea pig in a British hospital by swallowing a camera the size of a pill which, as it passed through her body, produced a photographic record of her digestive system. The consultant hailed it as "a major step forward... a real breakthrough''.

In the penultimate paragraph I read: "Such 'capsule cameras' are already in use in European hospitals.'' It was like coming across an article in a Third World country explaining the miracle of a hip replacement.

BRACE yourself - the column is still in hospital, though briefly. 'Foundation' hospitals', Health Secretary Alan Milburn's big idea, which can largely set their own budgets to pay staff more and develop the services they wish, have got the nod from Chancellor Brown and PM Blair.

But do we want the two-tier system of hospitals inherent in creating these super hospitals? Though hospitals will always offer different specialisms, shouldn't the prime aim be a high level of excellence in all hospitals? One can imagine that proximity to a 'foundation' hospital will figure in house and job adverts. Those without ready access to one of these hospitals will be in a health-care wilderness, and all patients not treated in a foundation hospital will feel they are getting second best.

THE station manager donned a Victorian station master's outfit and strutted around the platforms handing out souvenirs. An exhibition is on view for the next couple of weeks.

But is it wise to celebrate the 150th birthday of King's Cross station, which fell on Monday? Highlighting the anniversary merely emphasises the station's lack of distinction compared with other London termini, especially St Pancras just over the road.

The most welcome anniversary event would have been the destruction of the modern concourse that masks the original towers and arches of designer Lewis Cubitt. Minus this tat, King's Cross would be just about fit to take its sideways glance at the fairy-tale pinnacles and spires of St Pancras.

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