SOCIALISTS will applaud Roy Hattersley's criticism of New Labour for failing to tackle poverty and inequality (May 30).

But socialism is more than politics, it is also about applying its principles to the way we live. When MPs' outside earnings were published, Hattersley's were over #100,000. Such an unnecessary income entails poverty for others. He accepted a seat in the House of Lords (itself a nice little earner at public expense) which upholds inequality.

If Roy Hattersley is not to be regarded as a hypocrite, then he should put socialist values into personal practice.

Bob Holman,

18 Finlarig Street, Glasgow.

May 30.