I am disappointed that the Southampton People’s Assembly’s press statement about the recent demonstration in London was not printed in the Daily Echo.

More than 200 people went up in coaches, cars and on trains.

Austerity is a very important factor in everyone’s lives, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

We cannot pretend that it is not happening or is not going to get worse.

That is why I would think it important that people in the city know where their representatives stand on austerity, particularly the views of the leader of the council.

I copy again the statement I received from Simon Letts on austerity.

He came to the demonstration: “Further austerity would have a devastating impact on the vital services that the city council and its partners in the city provide for our citizens.

“In the end the costs of cuts in social care will be picked up by the health service and will end up costing the taxpayer more.

“The Tory ideology of shrinking public services back to a time before the health service existed will have long-term consequences, particularly on the most vulnerable members of our society.”

GLYN OLIVER, Chairman, Southampton People’s Assembly.