SIR – Karl Dallas (Letters, October 28) says that “I (Murphy) like capitalism”. No: unregulated capitalism is wasteful and cruel, but better than any alternative, particularly socialism.

Astonishingly, he gives the Soviet Union as an example (something Marxists today keep quiet about), only regretting its “dying days”. Sovietism only survived thanks to a vast army of slave labour, the repression of freedom of thought, and horrors like the deliberate starvation of much of the population of Ukraine. I thought “Soviet nostalgia” was purely a clothing fashion trend!

As for the “Socialist system” turning back the Nazis at Stalingrad: why did Stalin appeal to good old-fashioned Russian patriotism (and even religion) during the war? Those Russians were not defending socialism, but the very existence of Mother Russia.

And China: if its success is (as Mr Dallas agrees) due to adopting capitalism, why does he argue for socialism? He can’t have it both ways!

How does Mr Dallas propose bringing about the change to socialism, since the majority of people oppose it? Is there a “vanguard” out there, waiting to take over? Mr Dallas is a believing Christian. How long does he think he would be permitted to “believe” under state socialism?

A Michael Murphy, Wainman Street, Baildon