READING the letter by David Morrish in the Gazette recently, blaming Europe for the closure of Tilbury Power Station.

I think the real reason for the closure must go back to the Margaret Thatcher era, when she sold off all of the electric, gas and water utilities to private companies.

Harold MacMillan compared it to selling off the family silver, which she totally ignored.

Since then all these companies are owned by French, German and Spanish companies, who can do as they wish, the Government has no power to stop them.

By this coming winter people will struggle to pay all their bills and we may face power cuts, as well as further increases in charges.

R J MATHEWS Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope.