IN response to the ridiculous letter by Ian Holland I submit the following information: I do not like being referred to as a substitute for Peter Kay — I’m far more funny. Seriously, I am sure of one thing — you really believe in conservative sound economics. The Treasury is at war with the MOD over defence spending because it's over budget and we still can't defend the nation.

The first responsibility of government is to keep the nation safe; I’m sure you will agree with that. Safe — that's why we don't have an army, an inadequate air force (it’s too small) and our Navy can't operate in warm waters. By that I mean the Middle East or Far East because the water is too hot for our type 45 destroyers. But I do think it is rather clever to solve the problem by the MOD spending £1 billion to modify the diesel reserve engine which cannot produce enough energy to run the missile systems on board.

But this is not going to be done to 2018. I read that the Russians love it as they know exactly where our ships are. This is because they can hear them coming hundreds of miles away and by the sound of the engine can tell you the name of the ship. You just cannot make it up!

Bring it on - strong and stable government; that is what you get with the Conservatives right or wrong.

This government has never been fit for purpose, it has never cut the deficit. It's now going to take till 2025 to balance the books. The Conservative Government is failing to keep this country safe. In this election no matter how bad it sounds there is only the Labour Party to vote for because the nasty party is just.

Ian Greenhalgh

Smithills

Bolton