SIR - I mentioned Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) going bankrupt in a recent letter to the T&A because this case is relevant to other councils throughout the land, including here in Bradford and particularly at election time.

Here was a Conservative-run council which ran out of cash, mainly because it was struggling to fund essential services with the ever-decreasing amounts given to it, by its fellow Conservatives in central government. In desperation, the council turned, perhaps partly through ideology, to a private consultancy firm to help it increase savings, which only made things worse. (Other Conservative councils in financial difficulty have been highlighted in the media.)

This is highly significant because it explodes the (Tory) myth that it is Labour's own poor management and spending profligacy which has led to huge cuts in services in recent years. Councils of all political colours are having to cut services, including Bradford, precisely for the very same reason-Conservative central government cuts to local budgets. Thus, if you are annoyed your council tax has gone up by 5.99 per cent with services cut as well, the reason is clear enough, illustrated by the example of NCC.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose