I am astonished the Conservative group regards the proposals to sell off some council-owned buildings in order to reduce the burden on Brighton and Hove's council taxpayers as "selling off the family silver" (The Argus, January 16).

It has perhaps forgotten the track record of the last Conservative government, which relentlessly pursued a privatisation policy that entailed selling off Britain's best assets, including British Gas, British Telecom, British Airways, electricity generation and supply companies and water boards.

What benefit do local Tories believe ordinary British people have gained from their party's policy? Am I naive or is this yet another example of Tory hypocrisy?

Brighton and Hove City Council has taken a bold decision not to cut front-line services in social care and health, education and the environment and is therefore looking at alternative ways to ensure the people of Brighton and Hove continue to benefit as fully as possible from these essential services.

-James Thompson, prospective Labour candidate, Hangleton and Knoll ward, Hove