AFTER failing to convince people of the need for war to disarm Saddam Hussein, Tony Blair and various spokespersons in the two major parties are now simplifying and distorting history in an attempt to shame people into acquiescence.

Those against the war are now being equated with the "appeasers" of the late 1930s who facilitated the rise of Hitler and Germany.

Those opposed to war with Hitler were much less appeasers lacking the will to act against a regime they disliked, than a strongly pro-German, fifth column who found Hitlerism quite acceptable and even admired it.This group included no lesser figures than King Edward VIII, Lloyd George, Neville Chamberlain and Lord Rothermere of the Daily Mail. Indeed, Joe Kennedy, the American ambassador, referred to Hitler as the "greatest genius of the 20th century".

Very few people today, by contrast, would find Saddam or his regime to be anything less than odious. Opposition to the war is based on a profound distrust of the motives of President Bush, the killing of innocent people and deep concern about the international consequences of a conflict.

P Walker

Whittle Grove

Bolton