Opinion polls may reveal that 69 per cent of the public favour police having more powers, but I'm sceptical.

The experience of the 1984/85 miners' strike showed that powers given to the state affecting the liberty of the subject can be used badly.

We were told that the security services were pressing for this legislation, but MI5 have not asked for it and senior figures in the legal establishment have openly opposed the 42 day detention plan.

Talking to people at work, in the pub, on the bus or whilst out shopping, folk often express concern about issues affecting themselves such as pay and prices.

The 42 day detention plan seems to be the last of their worries, and yet the Prime Minister put his head on the block to push it through parliament. A shadow cabinet minister resigned over the issue.

The key for me is that people are innocent until proven guilty.

In the same issue of the Guardian and Herald Wyke Manor School has been told it could face closure if exam results don't improve and that plans are in place to transform it into a state of the art academy.

Wyke Manor has been identified among 638 failing schools in this country.

Twenty six of these 'failing schools' are already academies.

Rather than improve standards, academies tend to exclude the students they think will lower their league table rating - including children with special needs and those from poorer backgrounds.

In the first wave of academies, over half were defined as 'failing'.

The number of children achieving grade C or above in five GCSEs was less than half the average.

Academies have not improved education, they are about pushing for privatisation.

What's the most important? Enriching private academy sponsors or giving children a decent education?

JOHN APPLEYARD
Firthcliffe Parade
LIVERSEDGE