DUE to the present economic situation many public and private sector workers have had no pay rise, their working hours and incomes have been reduced and many have lost their jobs and homes.

Many have seen their pensions reduced or made worthless.

All of which, we are told, are sacrifices necessary for economic recovery.

At the same time Conservative MPs declined a one per cent pay rise, worth over £650 a year, but awarded themselves an increase in expenses which, on average, allows them to claim more than £18,000 extra each year.

Many Conservative MPs will retire on a pension which the majority of ordinary folk could only obtain through a Lottery win.

Instead of South Tees Conservative Future attacking Sir Stuart Bell to raise support for the Conservative Party, why not raise support by telling us about the sacrifices being made by Conservative MPs in these austere times, beyond ceasing to use public money to pay for duck houses, moat cleaning or “research” jobs for their parasitic children?

CT Riley, Spennymoor.