Labour backbenchers' excuses are that the recent 10p tax row has caused this result, when in fact it was merely the straw that broke the camel's back.

In her arrogance, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she wanted to know what the voting public was going to do to support Labour in its tough times. Other MPs belatedly ate humble pie with statements such as: "We will listen and learn."

For me the decision that Labour had to go came in the year 2000 over housing. After that Labour's bungles came fast and furious. Many of these disastrous decisions can never be rectified.

Labour's bungles:
Council housing sold off for a song to our friends the bankers and the shareholders.

The Iraq war: thousands dead, millions displaced and fleeing the country, causing terrorism to escalate tenfold.

Northern Rock bailed out, the bill thrown back on those who could least afford.

Arms length police service which no longer works effectively to keep people safe.

High community charges.

Car owners being milked to death on tax, insurance, parking charges and petrol bills.

Crippling gas and electricity bills which Labour should have tackled and which have hit pensioners and those on lowest incomes hardest.

The situation is more than a wake-up call when London, the heart of politics, votes Labour's Zippy out and turns to Coco the clown for new mayor.

(Mrs) Heather Terry