SIR: John Major's conference speech had all the characteristics that we have come to expect from this government - lies, lies and more lies.

He boasted that his party was 'honourable and true'. Yet is this the same party that took £400,000 from fugitive Asi Nadir and still hasn't paid it back? The party that voted in November 1995 to keep outside earnings secret? The party of cash-for-questions and arms to Iraq?

Major promised more spending on health, yet their reforms now cost the NHS £500,000 a day in added bureaucracy. He bragged about their inflation record. But inflation in Britain is 12th highest out of the 15 countries in the European Union.

He repeated the Tories tax priorities: to abolish Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. This would cost £4.6 billion and half the benefit would go to just 5000 people.

Hardly opportunity for all is it!

Mrs P Ferguson

Dentdale Close, Bolton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.