Martin Bright argues for a new generation to take over the Labour cabinet (17 July), but provides no good reason for this. It is just age discrimination. Arguably the most talented Labour cabinet minister in history, Barbara Castle, was needlessly sacked at the age of 65 to make way for somebody called David Ennals. Today, Bright mentions Margaret Beckett as having been born during the Second World War, but that fact is irrelevant; she remains one of the most evidently competent in government. Another was Michael Meacher, widely acclaimed as a brilliant environment minister for six years.

Meanwhile, history is littered with early over-promotion. Ruth Kelly's performance as education secretary is the most recent example. William Hague has only lately returned to his rightful place on the Conservative front bench after his premature spell as leader.

With a rise in the general retirement age in the country at large, why is there a continual obsession with "skipping a generation"?

Daniel Blaney
Basildon, Essex

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