DES MORGAN focuses on the bit which suits him, ie ‘115 years ago’ (Adver letters, August 10). Look at history Des, unions were not allowed by the ruling elite. Workers were looking for their freedom well before 1900!

What about the Tolpuddle Martyrs? I think that was 1832. Why were they convicted? The ruling elite used a law going back to the 16th or 17th century of Illegal Oaths.

When they were sentenced, George Loveless wrote the following lines, “God is our guide! From field, from wave, from plough, from anvil, and from loom. We come, our country’s rights to save, And speak a tyrant faction’s doom. We raise the watch-word liberty. We will, we will, we will be free!”

These were not the words of an American slave, they were supposedly free British working people fighting for justice, and that was 1832-ish.

They became so popular, 800,000 signatures were collected for their release, which led to a public march and protest. Look it up, I did.

I’m now in my seventies and do not recall food banks such as we have today, ever. Being raised in a mining village, if a family were struggling due to an injury or illness from the pit or war wounded, people would take food and coal to them. As a boy I wheeled tons of coal around the village.

You don’t appear to grasp this society or community aspect of life, I consider paying my share in any situation is a price worth paying to be a member; simple. Super rich who are prepared to move from place to place, or have hidden countries where they can hide their money are not worth the bother; there are ways round this tactic.

Finally, Osborne appears to be saying one thing while his family does the opposite.

I may be wrong here, but that is the information I have.

MIKE SPRY Mayfield Close Swindon