SIR – I fully expected some response to my skit on the demise of the Labour Party but was somewhat taken aback by some of the crass vitriol from Messrs Waterhouse and Durkin.

Sadly I now need to put them straight.

I too am a free-thinker. I did not vote for, neither do I support the Conservatives.

I do not see the unemployed or disabled as work-shy or feckless.

I never mentioned the unemployed or disabled in my letter so Mr Durkin makes an erroneous conflation of no merit.

I must confess I did enjoy the humour of Mr Waterhouse’s reference to t’mill as both of my parents worked in t’mill. I worked in t’mill.

My wife worked in t’mill as well!

Finally, as a young man, I was a card-carrying member of an extremely militant trade union.

Suitably confused gentlemen?

Now please settle down and feel free to confer.

Joe Woollard, Bogthorn, Keighley