Jonathan Sheppard tries once again to promote the belief that increases in public spending do nothing to improve education and healthcare and that anyone who provides evidence that things are getting better is just engaging in "spin".

He hopes that over the past five years the electorate have forgotten just which party wrecked the health of the NHS and the educational chances of countless children through 18 years of underfunding.

The Tories oppose the further increase in public spending on schools and hospitals announced this week by the Chancellor because they believe taxes should be cut, in turn drastically reducing the funds available to classrooms and NHS wards around the country.

They think the quality of education and healthcare you get should be based solely on what you can afford to pay for privately.

These tired and discredited beliefs won them no new support at last year's General Election and will win them no new support at next year's local elections, unless they can come up with any new ideas beyond digging up Hove Lawns and Brunswick Square to build more car parks.

-Warren Morgan, Freshfield Street, Brighton