THE passing of Michael Foot is probably the closing page of the Labour Party which personified his principles and values until the rise of New Labour in 1997.

I was lucky to hear his oratory in 1975 when he spoke in Ruffwood School, Kirkby, setting out his vision for the Employment Protection Act which he piloted through Parliament in 1977 as Secretary of State in Jim Callaghan’s Government. This work was often overlooked by those who unfairly underestimated his talents.

This legislation, and the 1982 Right to Buy (council houses) must stand alone as the most important policies over the last 40 years that improved the lives of millions of people.

Michael Foot was also a man of peace who would have worked tirelessly for diplomatic solutions instead of conflict.

He was a great friend of the Merseyside dockers, on whose behalf he fought for improvements in the industry for employers and employees.

How ironic his passing comes as we near the end of a government whose policies are the polar opposite to what a Michael Foot government would have followed.

Would he have allowed casino-like gambling in the City of London and huge banking bonuses when 5m people are unemployed or economically inactive ? I think not.

He has left a legacy in law, setting out workers’ rights and responsibilities, which confirm he was a man of great judgment and principle, no spin or PR presentation.

Peter Fisher, Kirkby

Victim’s rights

GREAT news that Jon Venables has been put back in jail, for whatever reason. Let’s hope the faceless people who gave him the original eight years, including the Court of Human Rights who refused the then Home Secretary permission to increase it to 15 years, realise their mistake.

It's just a pity that they are not presented with the bill for the costs they have presented to the tax payer for this whole farcical affair.

These two who carried out unspeakable acts on that small child should have been exterminated from the outset. And it still goes on.

Whatever happened to the rights of the victim and his family? The distress that Denise Fergus must be going through right now is beyond belief. It's time to get back to basics and bring back the death penalty – I'm sick to death with these so-called do- gooders siding with the evil of this world.

Maybe we should let these killers set about their children and see how they like it – I'm sure they would soon change their warped ideas.

G Hitchmough, via email