I thought it a bit rich of Lord Bassam to blame Margaret Thatcher for our current problems with beggers (Argus, October 6), when we all know who it really was who made Brighton the Place To Be, beg and squat.

Let me remind his Lordship it was during the 1980s, when he took over as leader of Brighton Council, that the welcome mat was laid out for drug addicts, beggars, drunks, squatters and travellers. Don't blame Maggie, the blame lies solely at your door, Lord Bassam.

-Councillor Geoff Wells, Brighton and Hove Council