SIR – The contents of Christopher Hindle’s letter (T&A, January 16) strengthens my belief that he is a communist not a simple socialist.

He harks back to old Labour and its activists sponsored by the unions, rather the red union leaders not the individual union members.

This is one of the reasons why Old Labour fell out of favour with the electorate at large, including union members.

I agree with him, though, on his stand against a massive rise for MPs en masse.

It is a pity their individual salaries are not performance related, that should lower the overall pay bill.

Philip Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley