IN the Roman Empire it was bread and circuses which distracted the masses from their drudgery. According to Tory Party chairman, Grant Shapps, and his comments over the Budget, in Cameron’s Britain it is cheap beer and bingo which are supposed to keep the people happy. I suspect the people of Wyre Forest are too smart to be fooled.

As ever Mark Garnier (View from Westminster, March 27) puts things in a glowing light. Whilst Labour has provisionally supported the Tory reforms of pensions, the questions do need to be asked why the UK has the lowest state pensions in Europe and why the private pensions industry has got away for so long paying out pathetic annuities. The budget has done nothing to cap pension fees and charges which leave pensioners paying up to £320,000 over their lifetimes.

What Mark also fails to mention is the fact that this budget does little to deal with the cost of living crisis caused by this Tory government. Wages are down £1,600 a year since David Cameron became Prime Minister and the people of Wyre Forest know that they are worse off now than they were four years ago. Mark talks about tax allowances but conveniently forgets the 24 tax rises.introduced by George Osborne.

Energy bills are up almost £300 since Mark became MP. Furthermore, whilst enough money can be found to deliver a tax cut for those earning more than £150,000 we are told money is so tight that the Bedroom Tax was introduced which hits the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

A recent poll found that more than half of voters believed the Conservative Party “only represents the interests of the rich”. When even Michael Gove is pointing out how out of touch our old Etonian masters are it is not surprising Osborne has delivered a budget for a few at the top rather than the hardworking many.

DR MATT LAMB Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre Forest Hawkwood Crescent, Worcester