REGARDING VJ Connor’s letter Sad state for nations most poverty-stricken (HAS, June1).

VJ Connor seems to be seeking atonement for his sins now he has retired. As the bible states: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to pass the gates of heaven.”

To preach such language, and to accuse Margaret Thatcher of being the cause, is an insult that has no truth and only highlights his own failings.

I remember the 70s before Mrs Thatcher, when certain trade unions had this country on its’ knees. We were a laughing stock. Politicians call us “the sick man of Europe”.

We were on the verge of bankruptcy. Indeed, in September 1976 the then-chancellor Denis Healey had to go cap in hand to the International Monetary Fund for a loan.

The IMF’’s price was £2.5bn in spending cuts for a $3.9bn loan, forcing Healey to produce an emergency budget.

It seems Mr Connor, like so many others, only spout what suits while ignoring the truth and hoping it will go away.

The rubbish we constantly hear about the UK being a rich country is a fallacy when we are over a £1 trillion in debt.

We are seeing what is happening in Greece at the moment. Our nation could face the same situation if we ignore the consequences of our actions.

John Young, Wolsingham.