TALK about rubbing salt into wounds. Try this: “In these tough economic times, we are working to ensure Britain remains prosperous and secure for the many, not just the privileged few.”

Or this: “Making this increase was a hard decision, but I hope that you will agree that this was necessary and right for the party’s future – so we can continue to win the fight for Britain’s future.”

Not my words, but those of Alicia Kennedy, Deputy General Secretary of the Labour Party, writing to me, and I would imagine every other Labour Party member, at a time when the dust has hardly settled on the MPs’ expenses row and the disastrous European elections.

She’s written to tell me what?

You’ve guessed it. The Labour Party is increasing my membership subscription.

I could have laughed, but when I read the last line of her letter I did. She closed with the following: “We continue to make progress only through the support of our members.”

If she thinks we’re making progress, God help us.

Paul Kane, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.