SIR – As the origins of the fairy story “Eric and the Beanstalk” are laid bare by the discovery of the tree growing in the clock tower of City Hall (T&A, 13 May), along comes its sequel, “Eric and the Dubious Knighthood”.

Long ago in the land of Reddofyrot lived Eric, an egotistical councillor whose avaricious ambitions were thwarted by a prescient Labour council that banished him to wicked Westminster.

There, rising to become Communities’ Secretary, angry and bitter, he plotted and schemed to wreck the plans and aspirations of any foolhardy council of Labour persuasion by cutting its income, removing its essential services, whilst sneering at its poor and sick and condemning large numbers of its council workers to a bleak and uncertain future.

From his lair in deepest Ongar, Eric pronounced that it was not he that made the cuts, but the wicked, wayward councils, themselves. Had he not given them greater powers to do more with the reduced treasure he provided? King David was so pleased with Eric that he gave him a knighthood and a new anti-corruption job, much against the wishes of the citizens of Reddofyrot.

Look out for the third in the trilogy, “Eric smells corruption from the Red Benches!”

A Waterhouse, Barmby Road, Bradford