Finally, a Tory MP is shocked by austerity | Letters
It's good to see that a Tory MP is moved to tears by witnessing the terrible poverty that exists in this country ('I've absolutely had enough': Tory MP embarks on anti-austerity tour, 24 January). But if they didn't know about this already, Tory MPs were clearly alerted to by the recent report by the UN's special rapporteur on extreme poverty - a report that was either denounced or ignored by members of Heidi Allen's party. Allen appears to acknowledge that the much of the poverty she has witnessed is the result of her party's austerity policies.
The honourable thing she should do is not only to openly criticise these policies but to walk over to join the ranks of a party that genuinely wants to eradicate poverty and promote progressive policies that ensure the redistribution of wealth.
Ralph Mackridge
Chagford, Devon