THE postponement of the county council elections (and by implication the general election) is welcome news.

It would have been untenable to have run an election campaign while the rural community struggles to survive in the face of the foot and mouth crisis.

But, instead of announcing a new election date of June 7, Mr Blair should have gone further, and delayed the polls until the disease is well under control.

As it is, Mr Blair could face a similar dilemma in a month's time if the country is still in the grip of the foot and mouth crisis. What happens then?

The Government should be concentrating all its efforts on eradicating this disease, rather than gearing up for an election.

There are signs that the disease is starting to slow down, but there is still a long way to go yet. The battle is not over by any means.

As we have said before, there is certainly no groundswell of opinion desperate to re-elect our county councillors.