SIR – Christopher Hindle, (Letters, January 4), accuses me of repeating “gutter press” headlines. I read the T&A, Guardian and Observer, and listen to Radio 4.

He says that banks caused the “global financial crisis”, not the last (Labour) government.

Perhaps this know-all can tell us what regulation Labour had put in place to prevent bankers from getting us into this mess?

I didn’t realise that Labour’s Ed Balls was referring to Labour’s tight regulations when he warned other parties not to call for greater regulation. I thought he was just being extremely silly – like the rest of his party – in embracing the worst aspects of capitalism.

I’ve only criticised this lack of regulation – maybe with Labour’s lack of house-building and positive welcoming of house-price inflation which, along with debt, have contributed more to a “cost of living” crisis than anything under the coalition.

Prove me wrong. Tell me what Labour’s plans were to avert banking mayhem!

John Hall, Pennithorne Avenue, Baildon