McGrath - almost every vote in our democracy is carried by a numerical minority of the whole electorate, but the fact remains that the winners get more of the votes than the losers. Whenever there is discussion about elections the losers always trot out the same tired old argument about numerical minorities. (I quite like the idea of The Apathy Party - to register your vote you simply don't turn up).

Jude L - people in this country do their best to ensure they have a comfortable life. What you seem to advocate is that anyone you don't like should not receive any benefit from their efforts - that's always been a pretty silly argument. And bear in mind that Thatcher has been out of power for a long time and the plight of the elderly poor is no better. Nor was it any better before she came to power.

and Fionn - you really need to get your facts right. UK is absolutely NOT a foreign power in the Falklands. You, from your distance, may feel it should be, but it is not, so the Falklands Islanders have an absolute right to expect us to repel invaders, just as do the people of the Isle of Wight. You might also check out the British in Gibralter as witnessed by the recent demonstrations.

Cheers, Terry