Sir, I believe that John Prescott is likely to hang on despite the latest hullaballoo as Tony Blair fears an election for the deputy leadership. It would be a far more accurate barometer of party feeling than a leadership contest. All sections of the Labour Party prefer an electable leader and when Blair goes it will be a case of falling in behind Gordon Brown.

The deputy leadership is different. It may be a token position but the electoral battle is for the mythical heart and soul of the Labour Party. New Labour can trace its roots back to the Hattersley victory over Benn in 1981. Neither Blair nor Brown will wish to give the dissident anti-war elements in the party an opportunity.

MARK HARMS
Clara Vale, Tyne and Wear

Sir, The spectacle of John Prescott at croquet on the lawns at Dorneywood (report, May 29) makes me question whether we should still provide these graceand-favour country houses for ministers’ private pleasure.

There is a strong argument for having a taxpayer-funded, government-run facility for entertaining foreign visitors, meetings and official functions — Chequers would fulfil this function well.

COLIN FORBES
Cirencester, Glos

Sir, Three cheers for John Prescott! I rejoiced to see him enjoying himself playing croquet. It’s a shame some of his earnest, furrow-browed, self-righteous critics don’t get out more. What a pass things have come to if a man dare not be discovered enjoying recreation once in a while. Is the nation imperiled because the man in charge relaxes for a bit?

I hope that he gets as big a cheer on Have I Got News for You for this as he got for punching the egg-thrower. That silenced his critics last time, and I trust will shame them into a sense of proportion this time.

CHRISTOPHER PULLIN
Worcester

Sir, Almost the only references that you hear to class in Britain these days are from the mouths of died-in-the-wool socialists such as Prescott. To the rest of us, the concept of class is irrelevant. It has now been overtaken by money, which recognises no class boundaries.

Take any bastion of the old middle and upper classes — public schools, for example — and you will find the children of what Mr Prescott would categorise as the working, middle and upper classes rubbing shoulders, the only common denominator being that their parents can afford to pay.

Perhaps these old fashioned socialists might do better dividing society into two more meaningful categories — the haves and the have-nots. There can be no argument that those in a position of power with high salaries, two luxury cars, an apartment in town and a pile in the country would fall into the former category.

On the other hand, there may be an understandable reluctance to draw such a clear distinction.

NEIL FITZPATRICK
Pinner, Middx

Sir, As the chairman of the one active croquet club in Cornwall, a large part of any difficulty in recruiting members is caused by the assumptions made about the game, fully illustrated by your third leading article of May 29.

A rule against the foot-on-the-ball habit was made about 100 years ago and if the opponent’s ball goes “deep into the laurel bushes” (ie, leaves the court), this is a foul and the striker’s turn ceases. Nor is the game any more vicious than chess and nothing compared with Monopoly.

The French aristocrats did not play croquet before their execution and it was introduced into England not in the 16th century but at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

TONY BACKHOUSE
St Austell, Cornwall

Sir, Why all the concern about John Prescott playing croquet? We should be thankful he’s not trying to run the country.

PETER BUSBY
Isleworth, Middx

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