Dear Mr Hunt,

I am 60 years old and I’ve been voting Conservative since I was old enough to vote.  In the early 1980’s I was a paid up member of the Tory party and I was a great supporter of Thatcherism and everything the lady stood for.  In future years I campaigned to get Stephen Milligan elected when Sir David Price retired from the Eastleigh constituency.

When I was 19 years old, with good career prospects and a full life ahead of me, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, it started affecting my eyesight and led to problems with balance and finally it took away my legs. Now, 40 years later,  MS has taken over almost every cell in my body.  I am unable to stand and I use PA’s / Carers to aid me in everything within my daily life.  In writing this letter to you I rely on someone else’s fingers to type.

I still have my hearing and I am mentally able to take interest in your Leadership contest.  Therefore, I listened with interest to your interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Tuesday 25th June and in particular to your future plans for Social Care.  I am distressed to hear that you plan to ‘reward’ those who are able to save for their possible infirmities.  I want to tell you that it has never been my plan to require or need support from others.  I would have wanted to always work and support my family and, through circumstances, which I did not invite, I have been unable to do so.

I would ask you, is it your intention to divide this country more than it has already  been torn asunder?  Victims of failing health will become a lower populace than those who stay well.  We will become a further group within an already existing  ‘them and us’ society.  I feel let down, this is not just affecting me, this will impact everyone else who has to rely upon an already failing Social Care Authority.

I never thought I would find you losing my vote.