Conservatives not consistent!

Sir,

I was most interested to read in your report on Conservative Transport Policy in the December issue of Motor Sport that “The Conservatiye Party says that it rejects anti-motorist policies”. I know that politicians rely on the voters haying short memories, but surely they can’t think that we have already forgotten who made the wearing of crash-helmets compulsory for motorcyclists. That’s right: it was the last Conservative government.

All other anti-motorist laws to date have at least been based on the claim that they are necessary to prevent us from harming other people. The Conservative crash-helmet law, however, is the first example in the motoring field of Big Brother ordering us to do something “for our own good.”

The comparison of politicians’ words when in opposition with their deeds when in office is a useful, if unedifying, exercise.

Ruthwell DAVID W. BELL

(If the Labour government introduces the compulsory wearing of seatbelts it will join the Conservatives in interference with the liberty of the citizen, but in a much more far-reaching-manner! Ed.)