Your reporter asked Ed Miliband about how Labour could win an election in a Conservative borough (‘Pupils put questions to Labour leader’, Hendon & Finchley Times, November 27), yet neither he nor Ms Sarah Sackman — the Labour candidate — could give an answer that showed they had an alternative to the Tories or the Lib Dems.

With regards to the closure of libraries in Barnet, Miliband could only say that ‘any issues we make on the matter won't be easy’, thus refusing to confirm Labour’s firm opposition to these cuts, or to the privatisation of more than 90 per cent of council services under the One Barnet programme.

Labour supports austerity and privatisation, just like the other main parties.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has also committed a Labour government to stay within the Tories’ spending limits, which means cuts in budgets.

We need a political alternative which puts people first, stands up to the banks and big business, and taxes wealth to rebuild our public services, tackle poverty, and ensure that everyone has a roof over their head.

Left Unity, created a year ago with the film-maker Ken Loach, is trying to create such a political alternative.

Fred Leplat

Barnet Left Unity Hampstead Garden Suburb