IT HAS already become clear the New Labour Government with its imminent Green Paper to reform' incapacity benefit is quite happy to inflict hardships on people with disabilities.

Now, it appears it is being joined by New Labour on Bexley Council.

In the spring, it is strongly rumoured Freedom Passes, issued by the council to the disabled, will be severely curtailed.

The council indicated in a review which began last December people suffering less severe mobility problems and mental health problems, will find their passes withdrawn.

Because of New Labour controlled Greater London Authority's (GLA) hike in bus fares and passes, many of the financially worse off who currently enjoy free travel on London's buses will find their ability to travel to work and social activities severely constrained.

It appears New Labour's attitude to these less well-off is now more damning than the Tories.

It goes without saying the proposed NHS reforms will not benefit the poor.

And education proposals mean creeping selection at secondary education level, with poorer children shunted off to less popular schools to receive a diminished quality of education which will perpetuate the poverty spiral.

New Labour received a bloody nose at last year's general and GLA elections in the spring, with much of its unpopularity stemming from the Iraq war.

This spring gives the electorate the chance to give New Labour an even bloodier nose.

With only a majority of one seat on Bexley Council, a tweaking of New Labour's nose will cause a bloody haemorrhage large enough to force them out of the Civic Offices.

DENIS TURNER

Becton Place

Erith