People are not stupid and do not need central government to tell them that to save energy they should turn off the light when it is not needed.

Further to my first letter (last week), it has occurred to me what the true reason is for this government campaign to outlaw light bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).

Stage one of the five-year plan is to con the big stores into believing they are helping to save the planet by discontinuing 100W light bulbs voluntarily, then the 60s and the 40s.

When there are none at all the public will be forced to have CFLs instead, whether they like it or not.

Stage two: when light bulbs have been made unobtainable they will then be made illegal.

That, however, will not happen this side of a general election.

Whereas standard light bulbs are cheap, tried-and-tested, safe, do not cause health problems and emit light which does not alter mood, CFLs are expensive, not tried-and-tested, not safe, can cause health problems and emit light which does alter mood, and hence alters behaviour.

That is what this government campaign is really about - they seek to control every aspect of everyone's behaviour.

That is why every thinking person who does not want their behaviour influenced by a socialist, nanny state, control freak government should vote Conservative at the next election.

I repeat, in seeking to curtail our freedom to buy a 100W light bulb, this government has gone too far. If they do not reverse this plan, they will be kicked out.

J BORROWDALE Brookwood Road, Hounslow.