Yes, Jonathan Freedland, the Tories’ cruelty, neglect and lies are appalling, but they didn’t start 14 years ago (Make this the punishment election – damning the Tories for 14 years of cruelty and lies, 24 May). It was between 1979 and 1997, when they last held power, that the Tories began to degrade everything they touched. Two items Freedland mentions – rivers and seas polluted with sewage, and the lack of affordable housing – can be traced directly to the privatisation of public assets. We should see that as theft. No matter how hard we punish the Tories, even if they never have power again, it’s hard to see how we can regain even the assets given away in the last century, let alone those we are still losing. The long list only starts with libraries, swimming pools and playgrounds. It includes family centres, youth clubs, theatre, art, music, health, heritage, trust, decency – life’s essential services, assets and resources shrivelled, as Freedland says, by deliberate neglect. It’s hard to think of what these Conservatives wish to conserve. Depriving them of power for as long as necessary is the most important punishment voters can deliver. Janet Dubé Peebles, Scottish Borders • I agree with Jonathan Freedland’s comprehensive damning of David Cameron and George Osborne’s disastrous austerity policy. He describes so fluently the appalling damage done to so much crucial infrastructure, water quality, local authority services and low-income families’ living standards. And I agree about the insanity of Boris Johnson’s shameful behaviour over Brexit. But I cannot imagine what use punishment could be, however tempting it may feel. Those men are no longer prime minister or chancellor. Those policies, although sadly not their effects, are in the past. All that matters now is what can be done to retrieve what has been lost, and to start rebuilding. Apart from the lunacy of the Rwanda plan, I believe that Rishi Sunak is a good, honest and very intelligent man. How many more of these are there in any of the political parties? We need them more than ever before. I do not know how I will vote. But wanting to punish old Tories seems the least valuable basis for deciding. Dione Johnson Hartley Wintney, Hampshire • Jonathan Freedland rightly condemns the appalling and destructive record of Tory governments over 14 years, and the many incompetent and dangerous ministers. However, he omits to mention that many of these people have personally profited hugely over this period while citizens have been thrown into poverty and debt. The vested interests of top Tories, most of whom have large property portfolios, are rarely detailed in any media. These wealthy landlords and their mates will be delighted that the calling of a general election has sunk the (already diluted) renters reform bill; evictions will continue and excessive rents will flourish. Steve Richards Bath • Such eloquence and sad truth in Jonathan Freedland’s article. The Tories have indeed degraded everything they have touched – their slash-and-burn policies on public services and the NHS, corruption, hypocrisy, lies, appalling treatment of refugees and more have turned the UK into a difficult place to live. Roll on 4 July, their long-awaited day of reckoning. Vicky Wolmuth London • Jonathan Freedland’s article is such a devastatingly accurate critique of the past 14 years that I’m keeping a copy by the front door as a response to Conservative party canvassers. Stephen Bibby Silchester, Hampshire • Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.