IT was amusing to read Ray Mallon’s column (Echo, May 7) in which he stated he would stick his neck out and predict that the Conservatives would win sufficient seats to form a government following Thursday’s General Election.

In keeping with the vast majority of politicians we have had to listen to over the past few weeks, Middlesbrough’s elected Mayor was wrong.

We now have a hung parliament that places the country in a worse situation than before.

A glance at the total number of people who voted on the day clearly shows most didn’t want the Tories in power.

But, at the time of writing, it looks like the good ship “United Kingdom” will now sail under a Tory flag, with Eton-educated Captain Cameron at the helm and a crew who don’t want him below deck. God help us.

If I was your columnist I’d wind that neck in, put away the crystal ball and give the bookmakers and “Lotto” a miss for a while.

Joe Wellthorpe, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.