A Chara, - Your assertion (Editorial, January 31st) that a second term in office was an achievement that had eluded "any [British] Labour Government in the 20th century" is simply incorrect. The British Labour Party won nine general elections in the 20th century, seven of these after the second World War. The 1945 victory was followed by an election for a second term in 1950, but Attlee's majority was so small that an election followed in 1951. Wilson gained power in 1964, but went to the country to seek and gain a stronger mandate in 1966. Wilson formed a minority government after the general election of February 1974 and was forced to return to the polls in October 1974, when he gained a majority of just three seats.
If Mr Blair follows the previous pattern he will win a second term, as have three previous Labour administrations. What Mr Blair did say was that no Labour government had ever enjoyed two full terms of office. Harold Wilson won four general elections but, partly due to his retirement in March 1976, spent only eight years in office. Getting there has not been Labour's problem; staying there has been. - Is mise,
Ian Poulton, Killiney Avenue, Killiney, Co Dublin.