Northern Rock nearly closes because of a credit squeeze. New Labour bails it out and guarantees all its well-heeled depositors their money, costing taxpayers £23bn.

Farepak was a Christmas savings club for working class people, including some in Oxford.

Customers chose Christmas hampers and vouchers months in advance, then made regular payments towards the goods over the course of the year.

It had about 150,000 customers, and agents across the country collected clients' funds.

The firm went into administration because of a credit squeeze, without New Labour raising a finger to save it.

Can our New Labour MP Andrew Smith explain why rich people's accounts in Northern Rock are subsidised while working-class customers of Farepak received absolutely no Government help?

New Labour, same old Tories.

MARTIN BRODERICK Bateman Street Headington Oxford