I WOULD like to respond to Robert Richardson’s attack on food banks.( HAS, Jan 30) Food banks are indeed necessary and yes, regrettably so.

However, let us get some things straight. The food bank at Willington is a Christian initiative of the Durham Christian Partnership and the national Trussell Trust (Echo, Jan 28). It is not a political organisation or inspired by such.

People who give their time, resources and compassion come from a variety of churches and backgrounds. We work in teams each using our gifts to help others. Would Mr Richardson prefer that people who are reduced to poverty be given no help because of political ideologies?

We can argue whose fault that poverty is till the cows come home but at present there are families and single people in dire need of help, support, encouragement and yes, love and compassion. This they receive in good measure.

The food bank is a basic Christian attempt to feed the hungry and succour those in need. They also receive other valuable help and a listening, kindly ear.

So please let us get on with our work as committed Gospel-led people and do not judge all people by one standard – your own. Neither decry the hundreds of good generous people who donate the food and money to help others.

Halina Holman, Langley Moor.

BRIAN MYERS (HAS, Feb 3) did not answer my original question: why has Labour been preaching for more than 60 years that it would end poverty?

Instead, he made the most stupid comment: “Food banks are not a negative thing.”

Labour is responsible for poor people having to use food banks because of the mess it left before the last election.

Labour has failed to end poverty when it had the chance in government.

We now have people struggling to pay the council tax from Durham County County, which is ridiculous, especially as local tax payers receive:

  • Potholed roads in a disgraceful condition;
  • Road drains are never cleaned;
  • Buildings, like the shop in Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street which collapsed, that are owned by the county council own but are in a disgraceful condition;
  • Now today we discover that Durham County Council own farms.

I am not a Tory supporter, but Labour policies have been a complete failure for the North- East and I despise having to pay council tax.

I reiterate that I do not want to pay to keep councillors in position, and I would prefer a dictatorship which is needed to put this country right.

Robert Richardson, Bishop Auckland.