AT THIS week’s Labour party conference the NEC treasurer Diana Holland delivered her report on the party finances using some quite surprising language.

She informed members that “last year for the first time since the 1960s the party was totally debt free.

Everything we strive for, social justice, equality, decent housing and jobs, all of that requires campaigning… you can’t do that without a sound financial base”.

All of this accomplished by: “No expenditure until the funds are there, no expenditure until it has been assessed to ensure it meets our priorities, maximising our income and minimising our costs.”

By now surely some of the delegates must have been questioning, have I come to the wrong conference? Why is debt and deficit unacceptable for students and the Labour party itself yet it’s fine for the nation? Nothing cripples an economy more than debt yet Labour are perfectly happy to keep passing this ever-growing millstone onto future generations while the rich cream off the interest.

If your strategy anticipates a run on the pound, enhances the publicly-funded income of the wealthy and leaves a bigger hole in the nation’s finances for your children, you should not be allowed anywhere near the corridors of power.

It is time we properly exposed the economic illiteracy and hypocrisy of this protest movement, for a prudent government in waiting it is not.

Dr Scott Marmion, Woodthorpe, York

Vince’s dreams are grounded in reality

WHEN I saw Peter Rickaby’s latest pointless letter dismissing the claims of Lib Dem leader Vince Cable I thought it not even worth responding to. Pamela Brown, however, clearly thought the point made so pertinent that she felt moved to write a letter in support (The Press, September 26), even referring to Sir Vince by his full name for added effect.

I am sure that Sir Vince does not expect to be the next Prime Minister. That is not what he said. He simply said it was “quite possible” that he could be the next Prime Minister, i.e. he has as much chance as any other contender.

He certainly could not make a worse job of it than the present incumbent, even if he is several years her senior.

Vince Cable is also the only leader of a major political party who is telling the truth about the monumental folly that is Brexit. Pamela Brown is at least right when she says that we need intelligent positive debate about the country’s future. That is the way democracies are supposed to work but it is a far cry from the rancour, division and fanaticism we are currently saddled with.

Sir Vince may be a dreamer but at least his dreams are grounded in reality - unlike the dewy-eyed nationalistic fantasies of the Brexiteers which, just as Vince Cable predicted, are beginning to turn into a nightmare.

Richard Brown, Horseman Avenue, Copmanthorpe, York

All welcome to the Legion’s meeting

THE Fulford and District Branch of the Royal British Legion will hold its next meeting on October 12 in the Fulfordgate WMC at 7.30pm.

All are welcome and members are urged to take the opportunity to inform our Poppy Appeal Organiser of their availability for the forthcoming appeal.

Further details may be obtained by phoning the secretary on 07832 131485.

Ian Smith, Branch Press Officer, Stockton Lane, York