Letter: Don't thank the Conservatives for living longer

YOU quoted Ann Widdecombe, junior minister at the Department of Social Security, as claiming some credit for the Conservative Party in extending our life expectancy because the Beveridge Report was accepted by the Coalition Government in 1943 ('Thanks to Beveridge, you too can live to 100', 27 December).

The electorate's view of the likelihood of a Tory Government actually implementing the report was given in the 1945 general election. It was lost for the Tories by a Conservative Party worthy who said 'the war is nearly over, so now let's get back to the Thirties]' The voters echoed Eliza Doolittle's words 'not bloody likely]'

N D Clack

Hodge Hill, Birmingham