Sadly and with no surprise, I read The Argus headline "Tories: We won't be soft on the homeless".

I must congratulate Councillor Oxley for demonstrating the Tories' compassion towards homeless people combined with an obviously deep level of understanding of the issues that create homelessness. There are numerous reasons why people become homeless: Family and relationship breakdown, substance misuse, sexual abuse and mental health problems to name but a few contributory factors. Never have I heard of anyone demonstrating such ignorance as Coun Oxley has by stating people deliberately make themselves homeless in order to live in Brighton and Hove.

No wonder three councillors have resigned from the Tory group. Times change but, sadly, the intolerant, reactionary Tories do not. Which group is next on Coun Oxley's hit list? The poor? The gay and lesbian community? Ethnic minorities?

-Craig Turton, Dean Gardens, Portslade