The letter from J Buxton regarding the plight of war widows (Opinion, March 16) was a stark reminder that in our bid to look to the future we all too often neglect those to whom we owe so much for the past.

The Conservative party has repeatedly urged Labour ministers to recognise the plight of the war widows. In office, we will deliver our pledge to those widows who remarry that they will retain their full pension entitlement and their rights will be properly recognised.

Under Labour, the War Widow's bereavement allowance, which was received by 220,000 people a year, was abolished in April 2000. Its replacement was a year in starting and only applies to half the previous claimants. That is an indication of how much the Labour government cares for war widows.

I have every sympathy with the proposal to provide a final opportunity to say farewell to the graves of those who gave their lives and I have forwarded a copy of the suggestion to Michael Portillo, the Shadow Chancellor. I shall do whatever I can to bring pressure on those who control the purse strings, so that funds might be found.

-David Gold, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Brighton Pavilion