A futile vote

SIR – On May 5, Croydon is to elect its first mayor. I have read the election pamphlets, and the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates make identical promises.

They will all, apparently, fix the budget, clean up Croydon, fight crime, and address housing – yet all claim to be different from their opponents.

Under election rules, I may indicate my first and second choice. One might be more than enough.

Iwan Price-evans

Croydon, Surrey

SIR – I have worked and paid taxes since 1960, apart from a few years spent bringing up children, and have never drawn benefits other than family allowance. This month, after tax, my state pension increased by 75p a day – the price of about half a bottle of wine a week. A contributory factor was the Conservatives’ decision to renege on their 2019 manifesto pledge to retain the triple-lock. Meanwhile, MPS, of course, received a substantial salary increase.

Why should I, a 78-year-old Tory, ever vote for the party again?

Diana Spencer

Herne Bay, Kent