SIR – The situation of the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury after just 17 days in office shows to me and many others that the new Conservative/Lib Dem coalition is no better than ‘New’ Labour.

For after all the revelations on expenses associated with the 2005 Parliament resulting in three former MPs plus one peer being prosecuted, it seems nothing has been learned. David Laws, for example, continuing to systematically abuse the system by £40,000, not by mistake or on the spur of the moment, but for five long years.

Instead of praising him, his coalition colleagues and especially party leaders should be demanding his investigation by the police, or how else are they going to command the respect or inspire the confidence of the people?

Furthermore, what on earth are HM Revenue & Customs doing to allow such things to go on apparently unchallenged year in year out is the question most ordinary citizens hounded by them under the PAYE system, especially OAPs like my wife and I, want answered.

We are glad more than ever that we did not vote in the recent election because not one of the three main political parties have proved themselves worthy.

D S & Mrs S A Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds