She was the only politician I ever listened to on TV who actually answered the question. No nonsense. Sadly missed. John Bunbury, London

I lived for 15 years in the UK and became very interested in the way of life and the politics. It was with profound sadness that I learned of Mo Mowlam's death at such an early age. Not many politicians can reach across that divide and make us feel proud that we are represented by a leader with intelligence, conviction and integrity. We are better world becasue of her vision and leadership. Conrad Meher, Newport Beach

At a time when so few politicians are prepared to "stand up and be counted", Mo Mowlem, alongside Robin Cook, was one of these. She was undeservedly treated badly by Blair, and sadly she could have been a great asset to the Country for many years. She will be missed. David Lewis, Cambridge

Cometh the hour cometh the person of the age. We would not have the peace but for Mo's tenacity, cajoling, courage and down right persistance. Blessed are the peacemakers. Michael Walsh, Dungarvan, Ireland

Mo's impact on the public was great for one single reason - she came across as someone unaffected by party spin, telling it straight, warts and all - a very rare breed of politician. Would that there were more like her - she will be greatly missed. Stuart Myers, Horsforth

I am shocked to read some of the comments regarding Ms Mowlam. She truly was a reforming politician, who gave all people of Northern Ireland a voice in politics regardless of agenda. She achieved for the first time what dozens of Conserative/Unionist biased secretaries could never hope to do, she gave a human face to the politics of Northern Ireland, allowing paticularly the Nationalist community to feel that it could approach the British government. I have met Mo Mowlam more than twice, and on each occasion I must say I found her a very warm person, she seemed to be frustrated when people saw her as a politician first, rather than a human being, and was at pains to point out to me that I should address her by her first name. I feel that many Unionists in the North of Ireland felt threatened by this new and progressive attitude from a Northern Irish secretary, that of not being a de facto Unionist due to their position. I can concede that perhaps Mo Mowlams methods or ends were not always to the satisfactions of various groupings in Ireland, but then is there such a thing as a perfect politician? It was a sad day when Mo Mowlam was forced out of office by the reactionary bigottry of extremist elements in the unionist community, whose conservatism is deep rooted and unchangeable. Her death also marks a sad day in British politics. Emmet Kaelson, Derry, N Ireland

Northern Irish politics was, for what seemed like an eternity, a place condemned to the policies of Tory England. Mo Mowlam, with her direct style and easy going nature, broke down the barriers which had existed between British and Irish politicians for a generation. Richard Hill, Brimstow

She may have been Britain's most popular politician but the unionist people of Northern Ireland saw her as being arrogant; at times downright rude and hell bent on setting the agenda for a united Ireland. Sam McKee, Newtownards, Co Down

Condolences on the premature passing of Mo Mowlam. Her sincerity, honesty and humanity contributed greatly to the impetus of the peace process that led to the Good Friday Agreement. Mícheál Ó Coileáin, Ballyortla, Co Clare

It can't be emphasised enough the impact Mo Mowlam had in Northern Ireland. You will not meet one person on the streets of Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland who had not formed an opinion about this great lady. She shook up the grey-suited extremists and put a human and formidable female touch back into the North's Irish politics. We are indebted to her determination to carry through her vision of Northern Ireland, despite her illness. She will be sorely missed. Ruby Dinsmore, Newry, Co Down

It was inevitable, I suppose, that the British and Irish governments would waste the opportunity that popular support for the Good Friday Agreement provided to make a huge step forward in healing the situation in Northen Ireland. And who stepped up to implement that failure? It was Mo Mowlam, who let murderers out of jail in their hundreds without getting anything back in return. The security forces had brought the terrorists to the brink of defeat, and Blair and Mowlam let the killers off the hook. The result? Local government by Russian-style mafias and a Northern Ireland that's as polarised as ever. We in the UK should be ashamed to have put politicians like Mo Mowlam in positions of power. James Good, Hatfield Garden Village

The tragic loss of Mo Mowlem and and so recently, Robin Cook, will be deeply felt by the British electorate. Both of them were probably the only people of probity and integrity left in this Government. We shall miss you dearly, Mo. Peter Hanson, Sheffield

You can forgive a politician most things if they say and do what they really believe in. Mo Mowlan was such a politician; so was Robin Cook and so is Tony Benn, Clare Short and Gwyneth Dunwoody. Other parliamentary figures may want us to believe that they have similar ethics and standards but we know they are just spinning us a line. In the same way, we knew that Mo Mowlan was passionate about her beliefs and would not compromise them. We may not have agreed with her but we trusted and respected her. That is all you can ask from the people we elect. Keith Downer, London

Was her impact so great? I don't think so. This is now a feature of modern life that anyone's achievements, however limited, are expanded out of all proportion and raised to the skies when they die. It's a kind of poltically correct touchy-feely verbal dirge. The same thing happened with Robin Cook the other week. Derek Sinclair, Dundee

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