Extreme views?

I reread Brian Monteith’s concluding statement this morning (Perspective, 22 April), and, yes, he did say that we should be extinguishing socialism as a priority!

I would agree that extreme politics in all their guises are abhorrent, be it German National Socialism or Italian Fascism in the 1930s, or aspects of European Communism since 1917. From one who is especially grateful for the NHS and a sound education, I am reminded that moderate

socialism enabled both of these and they should be lauded, together with other, moderate, people-based policies.

Please Mr Monteith, revisit your words and let us exterminate rigid party dogma amongst politicians who seeminglyare more concerned with their individual obsessions and future job security than with the long-term wellbeing of their electorate.

DAVID GERRARD Spylaw Park, Edinburgh