WHAT a pity the Mr D R Smith conducts his political rants in a personally abusive manner.

Labour must be embarrassed at this self-appointed spokesman.

He denies the failure of Labour to regulate the banks. He denies any responsibility for the huge deficit. He denies that Labour left no money in 2010.

He denies that Labour failed to restrain immigration. He denies that Labour failed to build enough houses.

Excessive taxes drive people abroad, reduce investment and employment, increase avoidance and evasion, and reduce yield – as has happened in socialist France.

The top rate of tax should be the rate levied by the former Blair Labour Government.

Inheritance tax should be adjusted, so that those who work hard and save hard may leave something to their family in due course if they wish.

What about a positive approach? We need to promote better training for employment, especially for the young people.

We need to provide more opportunites for the fit and able to move from welfare to work. We need to improve productivity for all those in work.

Stopping zero hours contracts would be foolish. They suit students, family carers, the recently retired, those seeking experience, and are compatible with welfare benefits in some cases.

And surely better some work than no work.

We need better access to GPs, especially our of normal hours. The best treatment should be provided wherever and whenever it is available, without reference to ideology.

Carers should have better training, better conditions, better status and dignity, and better pay.

Our schools should be as diverse as possible, with the highest standards and achieve-ments. More places are needed.

More infrastructure is needed in roads and railways and public transport.

The energy crisis must be recognised and local and alternative sources found.

Many more houses must be built. Immigration must be restrained. Law and order must be maintained.

Defence is fundamental for the preservation of our freedoms.

The English do not want to be governed by the Scots.

I would hope to see a responsible Government capable of dealing competently and constructively with these problems and whatever else comes up during the next five years.

ALEC SAMUELS, West End