SO St Helens Council have sought to defend the purchase of iPads and iPhones for its 48 Councillors.

Well, there is no defence. Week after week we have been bombarded with criticism of the government and every other political party by this Labour regime. Barrie Grunewald has been ferocious in his damning of the coalition and its budget cuts laying all the blame at its door for every bit of austerity we are facing.

The truth is that: This council took the decision to raise our Council Tax This council chose which services to cut, including those affecting vulnerable adults and children This council chose which workers would lose their jobs as part of the cuts.

In the light of this, how on earth can they justify the purchase of fancy gadgets for councillors who already get generous allowances that increase in scale to cabinet portfolio members.

I have no affiliation to any political party and I am sure there are many like me who are sick of politicians saying one thing whilst doing another. If budgets are as tight as this Council claims then all expenditure should meet one main criteria - is it essential?

When it comes to iPads and iPhones the answer can only be a resounding no.

Christine Woodward

Dentons Green