IN REPLY to Coun James Alexander (Letters, May 27), Mr Alexander and his Labour colleagues are part of the same band of brothers and sisters as those who, when in government for 13 years, pursued spendthrift policies that left us with the highest debt budget deficit in the modern western developed world.

Labour are in denial and have shown lack of responsibility or regret for this legacy of astronomical budget deficit. The situation remains challenging and it is important we stick to Chancellor George Osborne’s deficit-reduction plans. I have faith that the actions taken today will hopefully lead to full recovery in our economy.

Terry Smith, Fourth Avenue, York.