IT did not surprise me to see yet more Tories joining the knee-jerk 'dump the pump' campaign (August 28).

With their Common Sense Revolution unravelling every day, the Tories are desperate to divert public attention away from their health privatisation plans and spending cuts plans.

However, it was a bit rich, especially when you look at the Tories' record on petrol. To begin with, it was they who introduced the fuel price escalator to rapidly increase the cost of petrol.

No mention of this was made then.

Secondly, if the Tories are concerned about the price of petrol, why do they not pledge to cut the petrol tax?

In June this year, when questioned during the BBC's Question Time if the Tories would reduce the price of petrol, Mr Hague said: "I can't promise to reduce it".

Then on Breakfast with Frost in July, Mr Portillo was asked if he would reduce the tax on petrol and replied: "Well, I'm not getting into the business of guarantees".

Clearly they do not propose to cut petrol tax.

Finally, if the Tories do eventually propose to spend billions on cutting the price of petrol, they should first explain which services will be cut to fund it?

Already, they are pledging to cut £16 billion from schools and hospitals.

Which public service would face the axe next in Hague's Britain I wonder?

M Schmid

Lower Landedmans

Westhoughton