IN RESPONSE to Robert Richardson (HAS, Feb 22), I would like to thank him for the referendum he must have held to assess the utility requirements of the North-East. I can only assume I was out of the country on the day the vote was held.

He mentions that the water industry should be nationalised, but in previous correspondence he has declared a hatred for paying council tax. Exactly how does he propose to fund such an expensive venture as nationalisation? Money trees maybe? Magic beans perhaps?

Previously, he has called for London to “run everything centrally”. Again, how exactly could this be in the best interests of local people?

I would suggest that Mr.

Richardson does not know what he wants.

Joe Miller, Stanhope.