Labour is rightly pursuing the “prawn cocktail offensive 2.0” with business leaders, but the first offensive was not led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown (Report, 23 October). It began when John Smith was the shadow chancellor, and Mo Mowlam was one of its leading lights. Disparaging its success, Michael Heseltine said: “Never have so many crustaceans died in vain.”
Paul Richards
Eastbourne, East Sussex
• The letters on Hartshead Moor services (23 October) reminded me of a story told by the late John Peel. On his way home from DJ-ing in Newcastle late one night, he called in at Washington services on the A1(M) and was surprised to see Morrissey hunched over a cup of tea. Peel asked what he was doing there, and Morrissey replied: “Well, it’s my favourite service station.”
Ben Ruston
Richmond, North Yorkshire
