Brian Fitzpatrick's attempt to deflect criticism from the Labour Party in the dodgy donations scandal surrounding Wendy Alexander is most unconvincing. Going back to Tory funding in the 1992 election, which was perfectly legal, indicates somebody carrying a lot of baggage that should now be dumped. Brian mentions the shadowy Midlands Industrial Council and its financial support for the Tories. This kind of donation might offend the likes of Brian and myself but it is perfectly legal, and a Labour majority in the UK Parliament decided that this kind of donation was legal. The kind of donation Mr Green made to Wendy Alexander's campaign was not. This is Labour's mess and nobody else's.

However, Brian Fitzpatrick correctly identifies the source of the problem. The degraded political culture of the modern Labour Party. As Brian eloquently points out: "Funding has been treated as some sort of tedious conveyancing requirement and not an important matter." This can only happen in a political party that has lost its moral and its political com-passes. Since it abandoned its commitment to both socialism and the working class, the Labour Party in the west of Scotland (and remember that everybody involved in this scandal has west of Scotland Labour connections), has been retreating into its regional lair and morphing into a party of political self-seekers. People such as Brian Fitzpatrick, with a genuine desire to advance the common good, will have to find a new home.

James Barlas, 92 Brisbane Street, Greenock. I am deeply disappointed that the Provost of Renfrewshire chose to write a letter to The Herald (December 3) which was party political in content.

There would have been no problem with the letter had it been written by her as a councillor or even just as an individual; however, she clearly used the office of Provost to further her own political viewpoint. It is my understanding that the role of Provost is apolitical and that to use the office in that way brings the office of Provost into disrepute.

The role of the Provost is to represent and promote the council publicly, and when the Provost speaks, she speaks for Renfrewshire Council. This letter does not represent the views of Renfrewshire Council and therefore the actions of the Provost should not go unchallenged.

This is, actually, the first time I have heard the current Provost attempt a political utterance in my 41/2 years as a councillor. Maybe this new exaltation has gone to her head.

Councillor Jim Harte, Renfrewshire Council. Well put, Harry Reid (The Herald, December 6). What exactly has the Electoral Commission been doing? It certainly is not monitoring, and the cost is millions of pounds. For what? Why can't, for instance, the political parties be subject to the same money-laundering rules as the rest of us when it comes to donors?

Sensible people with a moral compass are staying away from politics and so, too, are the voters, in ever increasing numbers, and it is eating away at the heart of our democracy.

The rule of law is for the little people and we are the mugs who are being asked to pay for it all.

Come the revolution. Soon, I hope.

Roy Hudson, 29 Heather Avenue, Bearsden. I rarely read political comment, preferring to make my own choices. But the furore regarding undeclared donations to the Labour Party must prompt the question. Has The Herald letters page been declared as a donation to a certain political party?

R B Davis, 56a Braeface Road, Cumbernauld. The alternatives posed by Alex Gallagher in The Herald (December 5) on "How we wish to be governed", remind me of an item in Punch, many years ago, the gist of which was - "Poll gives Tories 100% support. When asked the question, Who would you rather see as Prime Minister, that nice Mr Heath or that nasty little creep in a Gannex raincoat called Harold Wilson?' all the members in the bar of the Conservative Club, Tunbridge Wells, opted for Mr Heath."

I see the options much more simply as: Would you rather take control of your own life, or do you wish to continue seeing it controlled by people who have consistently shown they have no interest in your welfare?

Glenn Spiers, The Common Cottage, Baldinnie, Ceres, Fife.