Letter: Our national wealth was squandered

Sir: I have never before voted in Britain. As an expatriate American I felt I hadn't the moral right, though I have had the legal right for many years.

So I stood by and watched while the Conservatives brought fresh ideas and much-needed reforms during the Eighties. The ideas ran out and the reforms went too far, and still I watched. Over the years the Tories presided over an endless series of national fiascos, and I stood by in mounting disbelief that the people of Britain could accept such misgovernment.

The "New Labour, New Danger" campaign was the final straw, a desperate move by a party which had become corrupt and directionless. I immediately went out and registered to vote. On 1 May I will vote Labour.

ROLF WALTER LUCHS

Findhorn, Grampian