In an information driven world the views of Mr H Davies (Have Your Say, December 17) and Mr R Readman are both distorted by their political allegiances and misunderstandings of history.

Far better comparisons of Gordon Brown are made with the former Communist leader Joseph Stalin.

Stalin came to power after years of prudently playing second fiddle to Lenin, but he also strove to keep the intrigues and power-grab attempts of Trotsky at bay.

Once in power Stalin actually set about and crushed all opposition as in the great purges. (of 1934 -1937) It was the ordinary Russian people who paid the greatest price for Stalin having risen to power. Name and address supplied