ANDREW Collingwood (Letters, September 20) claims Labour are “the only party that can defend public services”, to which I can only say they have so far have shown little inclination to do so.

Alastair Darling admitted after the election that Labour had its own £44 billion cuts plan. Labour presided over the £150 billion social security handout to bankers and the super-rich, spent billions more on the war in Iraq and wanted to spend billions on ID cards.

When the current government mooted the idea of deferring a decision on replacing Trident, they were slated by Bob Ainsworth, Labour’s shadow defence minister. Obviously, he feels that this is more important than such fripperies as schools and hospitals.

This autumn will see peaceful mass protests and civil disobedience against the cuts.

When interviewed on Newsnight, David Miliband seemed to have difficulty working out whether he supported this or not. This contrasts with Green leader Caroline Lucas who has spoken out repeatedly to defend public services.

The Labour Party either needs to get back to supporting ordinary working people – or get out of the way and let those who are willing to take a principled stand do it for them.

Andy Chase, Nunnery Lane, York.