SO now we know what has brought this country of ours, once the financial capital of the world, to its financial knees.

Was it the bankers with their untold billions of pounds a year in bonuses? Was it our MPs’ expenses, not just this year, but over many years? Was it the billions of pounds spent on Trident?

No. Supposedly, it’s the pensioners with their free bus pass plus winter heating allowance.

Correspondent Harry Watson was spot on when he wrote (HAS, Oct 23) that people over 50 are more inclined to vote than the younger generation come election time.

Incidentally, the Labour Party introduced the pensioners’ perks. If the Tories gain power, they wouldn’t hit the pensioners, or indeed the working class, would they?

J Turvey, Darlington.