Better to be direct

Recently a letter appeared on this page from a prominent local Conservative member under the heading of "Questions about our Chancellor". These questions were all of a rhetorical nature. I wish to make two comments on this.

Firstly, when you say something publicly as a local politician you must be direct and transparent. If the writer wishes to say that English voters should not back Gordon Brown in any election then he should say so directly, rather then hiding behind implications and rhetorical questions. Don't underestimate the intelligent of the voters. After all, they are our bosses.

Secondly the writer missed out some very stark facts about the Chancellor's achievements on the economic front.

I am going to mention something that is quite close to my heart - the Sure Start Scheme. The Chancellor has put billions of pounds into this to give a better start to thousands of children from lower socio-economic backgrounds and we have quite a few such centres in Telford helping thousands of mums and kids.

Then there is the New Deal helping youngsters who, for one reason or another, have problems finding jobs. In Telford thousands of young people have been helped by this scheme.

The Conservative Party intends to discontinue both of these schemes should they ever get into power.

It would been nice if the writer had mentioned something else about the Chancellor other then reminding us that he is from Scotland and will retire there one day.

Cllr Kuldip S Sahota, Telford