Analysing the psychopathology of New Labour is a murky business. The 1997-2010 government turned against its own roots in the labour movement with an Oedipus-like ferocity. It draped chief executives and shady hedge- fund managers with honours of every kind, while those tainted with trade union affiliations and sympathies were cast out into the cold.

It was no great surprise to learn that “principals and former principals dominated further education’s presence in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List” (“Principals prevail in Queen’s Birthday Honours”, June 18).

This pattern of honours distribution will almost certainly change once the new Conservative-led coalition Government gets into its stride. There is even a possibility that a sprinkling of representatives from the teacher trade unions will be seen making their way to the Palace after next year’s Honours List. This will have much to commend it, especially as New Labour will be choking on its canapes.

Ivor Morgan, Lincoln.