REGARDING The Northern Echo’s leader page comment about the success of the East Coast rail route while it has been in public ownership and the Conservatives’ determination to offer it to a private operator (Echo, Sept 30) .

The Tories dare not allow a publicly-owned business to be successful.

Such a situation gives the lie to all their doctrines.

We should be aware that the last thing they want is a level playing field.

D Lonsdale, Ripon