The Argus is right to question Tory leader Michael Howard's promises on police numbers (The Argus, September 2).

When he was Home Secretary, Mr Howard cut police numbers by four figures whereas, under Labour, the number of police officers (not including community support officers) has risen to record levels.

Promising to pay for things by saving money on asylum seekers may hit the right note with the populist right-wing but ignores the fact that the number of asylum seekers has fallen dramatically over the past two years.

Promising to provide better public services may fool some but Mr Howard's commitment to cut £18 billion from public service funds if elected will mean this promise is another empty one.

-Councillor Warren Morgan (Labour), Brighton