THE cascading autumnal leaves are reminiscent of the current political landscape as hopes and aspirations of many ordinary folk are blown in the winds of political ideology.

An ideology of historic greed rekindled by Thatcherism, itself built on the introduction of monetarism by Jim Callaghan at the behest of the IMF.

The family silver sold off at vastly reduced prices at the expense of the taxpayer as in the elaborate cons of right to buy, buy to let and privatisation of publicly owned utilities.

The Thatcherites knew the intended consequences of privatisation was ultimately to benefit the wealthiest investors on the backs of the homeless and disenfranchised.

The right to buy scheme supposedly replenishes new “affordable” housing, however, 36 to 50 per cent of former council housing is now owned by private landlords with councils reducing waiting lists through stealth by forcing people into temporary private rental as a result of scarce council homes.

The son of Ian Gow, Thatcher’s housing minister at the height of the privatisation of council houses, owns at least 40 former council flats on a South London estate, as reported earlier this year; and many politicians, including Tony Blair, are now mini-property magnates.

Tom Scaife, Manor Drive, York.