An increasingly cocky Tony Blair will not let a small matter such as the truth stand in the way of his re-election.

He proudly boasts that he has met three of the five guarantees on his famous pledge card issued before the last election. Included is the so-called reduction in hospital waiting lists. But he has failed to mention the growing waiting lists for the initial visit to a consultant.

The latest figures issued by Brighton Health Care Trust (mainly relating to the Royal Sussex County Hospital) show about 8,400 people on the waiting list and an additional 5,700 people waiting for initial examinations.

There are thus about 14,100 Brighton people (a significant number of whom have to wait between six and 18 months for examination or treatment) suffering pain, discomfort and high anxiety. I doubt whether these people will be impressed by Blair's boast.

-Mrs D. Radford, Eastern Road, Brighton