HAVING read Peter Collett’s letter (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, May 25) I wanted to chuck in my quid’s worth.

Pay freezes? Yes, I know about them. I’ve not had a pay rise for three years.

Although Gordon Brown and Labour did some credible things, like introducing the minimum wage, winter fuel allowances and free TV licences for over-75s, he was also responsible for selling off our gold at rock-bottom prices, so we have less in reserve for a situation like now.

As Chancellor he took a wrecking ball to the pensions system. So many final-salary pension schemes have closed completely. This has made people more reliant on the state system.

We’ve also had mass uncontrolled immigration to our small island nation, mainly for cheap labour to plug black holes in the economy.

Jobs for all was a hollow promise he knew he could never uphold, due to EU regulations and human rights laws.

This government needs to start to cut the previous lot’s wasteful destruction. That will cause pain. I agree it should not come from frontline services, but where do you expect them to start?

NICK ADAMS, Kidlington