LABOUR supporter Christine Cooper callously uses people who need the support of food banks to launch a ridiculous and unwarranted political attack on me (Letters, April 23).

I have no idea what she is actually saying. The only public comment I have ever made on the proliferation and use of food banks is to say the Government is pursuing policies which we hope will ensure people will not have to rely on them.

I will not and have not used the plight of those using them for political reasons. This is not the same for Labour and Labour supporter Ms Cooper. Food bank use was increasing under the last Labour Government. Interestingly I can find no evidence of Christine Cooper or any Labour supporter campaigning about them then. So, Labour is using the difficulties of people using food banks as a political campaign against the Conservative-led Government.

As for the weird comment about Eton, I am happy to set the record straight. I didn’t go to Eton. Nor did I go to Oxford or Cambridge. I was born in Harefield to hard-working parents. I went to Bitterne Park Infant, Junior and Secondary Schools – state-run local schools in the constituency I seek to represent.

So perhaps Christine Cooper should think again and concentrate on the facts next time.

ROYSTON SMITH, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Southampton Itchen.