IN AN article concerning the fall in petrol prices (Evening Press, December 18), Ryedale Tory MP John Greenway claims the Government has 'antagonised the rural community over fuel and that they have lost support over the issue'. In my work in the Ryedale constituency, I have found no evidence to support Mr Greenway's view.

It is true that a few die-hard Tories have been vociferous, but they were never Labour supporters anyway. Most people in Ryedale, however, recognise the balance that the Labour Government has struck between reasonable levels of fuel tax with the need to protect and improve essential services such as health and education. They also recognise the sensible concessions made to the haulage industry.

The Tories, including Mr Greenway, are peddling this myth that they were somehow better for rural communities. The truth is the Tories presided over the BSE crisis, closed village schools and post offices, and were responsible for the decimation of public transport in rural areas.

In its recent Rural White Paper, the Government has shown the way forward for the countryside and the people who live, work and enjoy it. The Tories offer no alternative and many people in Ryedale and other rural areas know this very well.

David Ellis,

Abbotsway,

Muncaster,

York.