Tony Rea, prospective Labour candidate for Ivybridge, of Erme Road, Ivybridge, writes:

Mr Streeter’s threat to vote against the Government if school funding proposals are not changed to favour schools in his constituency does not tell the whole story, Gazette, January 27.

Since 2010 Mr Streeter has ­supported austerity policies that have brought cuts to services and misery to many vulnerable ­people. His votes in Parliament have had a negative impact on Ivybridge and south west Devon. They have helped ensure, among other things, the abandonment of Sure-Start, a reduction in ­children’s centre provision, growth in the use of food banks, a gaping hole in Devon County Council’s social care budget and now proposed cuts to Ivybridge schools’ budgets.

Of course, every parent wants the best education for their ­children. Schools need decent funding and the current Conservative proposals would hit Ivybridge schools hard. Mr Streeter, however, seems to be prepared to trade off more funds for Devon education at the cost of decent schools for children in other parts of England, which I find distasteful.

Austerity is a political choice. The Labour Party is against austerity and will work for proper funding for all the nation’s children.