It could be you

The National Lottery. As they never tire of telling us, over the years it's raised millions and millions for good causes up and down the country.

For thousands of small organisations, communities and charities, the Lottery has represented often the only way to deliver their projects. Indeed, it's often their only hope when most other funding goes to larger, more established charities.

And yet, with the Government's massive promises on delivering the Olympics in 2012, the National Lottery now represents a pot of gold that's hard to resist...

And as the Government licks its lips and prepares to plunder - sorry - redistribute our cash to their higher purpose, all those little charities will gradually wither. All those little local projects will cease to exist.

Mr Brown, I hope you know what you're doing. Maybe the public will show their feelings at the ballot box. You never know Mr Brown - it could be you.