In a society where free speech is held up as a undeniable right the latest pronouncement of this new government's chancellor.

In respect to cancelling winter fuel payment to a select portion of the population a similar event occurred during the opposition party's tenure and the said chancellor was branded Thatcher the milk snatcher, some may say well deserved.

Would the epithet Reeves (Queen of thieves)? now be appropriate in the light of the said cancellation of winter fuel payment.

Francis Ray.

Stroud