WELL known Conservative, Dorothy Waters, says that people should vote Conservative at the next election to bring firm leadership -- a contradiction if ever I heard one.

Take the race issue to use as an example. At the weekend, William Hague changed his position an incredible three times in four days.

On the Friday he said he would not withdraw the party whip from outspoken MP, John Townend, because such an action would be "gesture politics". By Sunday he had decided to issue a gagging order on the MP, then on the Monday he changed his mind again and ordered the MP to retract his comments. One must ask why did he not order the MP to retract his comments in the first place.

Furthermore, by retracting his comments, does Mr Hague think that John Townend does no longer believe that multi-cultural towns like Bolton are a "mistake".

If Mrs Waters thinks that this country would get strong leadership from William Hague, then she is sadly misguided.

Mr F Crompton

Kennet Close

Westhoughton