CHRIS Moncrieff is quite right when he says that Labour MPs must tow the party line (August 29).

The worst example of this was in 1965 when, on what was supposed to be a free vote based on conscience, the whole of the Labour party voted to abolish capital punishment and the bill was passed.

Since then, the murder rate in this country has gone from 40 to 60 per year to 600 to 800 per year.

In addition, more than 60 murderers have been released from prison only to commit the same crime again.

Thousands of innocent men women and children have been murdered since this foolhardy act was passed. Labour MPs represent nobody but themselves and their own petty ambitions.

As far as conscience is concerned, I doubt if any of them have got one!

S Holmes

Crescent Road

Bolton