SIR – As one of the many Tories living in West Worcestershire I take great exception to the assertion by Liberal Democrat Councillor Tucker that the Tory Party, its candidate in this constituency and by implication everyone of its members, have made profits from speculation and hence are hypocrites in wanting to see a reform of some city trading practices.

The banking crisis is global and the extent of it entirely unforeseen but the dire state of the nation’s finances after the Labour Government’s huge spending spree means we will all share the pain. The financial services industry is diverse and we must not tar everyone as having been irresponsible.

Harriett Baldwin was chosen as parliamentary candidate for this seat for many qualities but particularly for her solid and trusted background in the operation of pension funds all over the world and the real experience she would bring to bear in this area in Parliament.

She has given up her city job to dedicate herself to public service because she could see that Gordon Brown was undermining pensioners’ standards of living by taxing pension funds and increasing Government borrowing at an alarming rate. She is campaigning for the return of a Conservative government which would bring back good financial housekeeping and budget responsibility.

PATRICIA STEEL,

Pershore.