OVER the last year there have been regular articles and letters in this paper distressed at the closure or threat of closure to various local facilities and services. All have been blamed on council budget cuts with councillors having little room to do anything different. So what is the cause of these cuts? We seem to have forgotten that these are the result of government spending cuts, decisions made by the current coalition. Yes, of course, any shade of government would have had to make some reductions in provision following a world-wide economic crisis, but not with the relish (despite an apparent wringing of hands) of Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne. It is the result of a little spoken but clear agenda to cut back state provision in any form, whether it is the NHS, education or public services. The 'i' word, is rarely mentioned, 'ideological' but that is what we see in the continuing slices or rather chunks taken off state provision with much more to come. This government is very content to see this — our cabinet of millionaires is not directly affected by the results. The 'deficit' is an excuse to destroy state provision. Join up the dots when you see the next cherished and valuable service under threat. It is not inevitable; it is the consequence of a deliberate decision to prioritise the wealth of a few over the needs of the weaker and more vulnerable in our society. Ian Gasper Marshall Close Tavistock