NOW that the General Election is over and a period of reflection has elapsed, it is interesting to observe the implications of a landslide victory.

I have to say that my personal view is that rather than the Labour Party winning the election, it was more of the Conservatives' self-inflicted wounds that lost it.

The task now for the Conservatives is very difficult in electoral terms and to remove the Labour Party at the next election is nigh impossible in our antiquated electoral system.

Also, although the Conservatives did very well in the county council elections, the fact remains that New Labour wishes to abolish the existing local government and introduce regional assemblies as part of continuing constitutional reform.

Many steering groups are now in operation (incidentally controlled by Conservative councillors) and regional assemblies will take over from other forms of local government.

It was a great pity that the Conservatives put so much emphasis on keeping the pound and knocking all the time at the European Union.

One trade union leader summed it up at a conference: "We should be more interested in keeping our jobs than keeping the pound."

So at least large numbers of workers know where the priority is.

Great Britain has always thrived best of all when an effective opposition is coherent and powerful.

It is very difficult to see how this can now take place with so many factions within the Tory ranks and the cause of democracy is under great threat, in my view.

New Labour has exploited the UK's unfair voting system to very good effect by having secured a massive majority with around support of some 25 per cent of the people that voted.

The party is now very unlikely to proceed with reform to the electoral system as it is can see the benefit of the present arrangements suits its long term aims.

It is a sobering thought that as a pensioner, the prospect of one-party rule is now a reality for the rest of my life.

Alan Page

Former SDP

Parliamentary Candidate

Curzon Avenue

Hazlemere