SIR – Re John Hall’s letter (T&A, December 11) responding to mine. With respect to John Hall saying I trotted out Labour’s excuses “because I wouldn’t see”, his response is pure bunkum.

Mrs Thatcher’s deregulation of the banks was at least misguided. She was warned of the consequences by “non-silly” bankers.

The global financial fiasco in the USA caused chaos to governments of all nations, whatever their persuasion. Our administration, Con-Dem, did not have the courage to let one of our banks go bankrupt to teach them a lesson. Not one banker has been prosecuted.

Mr Hall gives me the impression he’s not suffering the damaging consequences of this present type of austerity. I can see, but I will accept I cannot, if Mr Hall accepts his vision is blinkered.

Alan Holdsworth, Sandside Close, Bradford