OVER the last few weeks the extent of the cracks in the Labour leadership are beginning to become very apparent, no matter how hard they try to paper over them.

As soon as Labour comes under any kind of pressure the divisions become very clear. Gordon Brown, John Prescott and Robin Cook, Tony Blair's most senior colleagues, are all at loggerheads, they aren't even on speaking terms.

None of the so called 'big three' even talks to Peter Mendelson, who is Boy Blair's most trusted adviser.

Among Mr Blair's other colleagues, Clare Short is completely isolated in the shadow cabinet and in continual disagreement with her number two Brian Wilson.

Hapless Harriet is expected to be voted out of the shadow cabinet by her parliamentary colleagues later this year - well that won't be a loss.

At the same time, Gordon Brown makes forays into David Blunkett's plans for education and Chris Smith's social security portfolio.

Given that Labour is unable to agree on the most basic issues, even when they are in opposition, what on earth would they be like if they were ever elected to power? The mind really does boggle.

JOHN D FARRER, Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.