26 APRIL 1997, Page 28

Sir: In the last 20 years can there have been

a single group who have been more publicly humiliated and discredited than the intel- lectual Left? That Robert Taylor was able to find anyone willing to be quoted as such is surprising; for Mr Blair to listen to them would be as preposterous. Not since Denis Healey issued advice to the shadow Chan- cellor has counsel been less sought or less relevant. It is precisely because Mr Blair has taken a pragmatic course and dumped the 'intellectual Left' that Labour is now electable.

P.R. Watkins

30 Regency Green, Colchester, Essex