23 JULY 1994, Page 23

Defending readers

Sir: 'Actual broad-sheet readers are meaner, or greedier, or less discriminato- ry than I thought' (Paul Johnson, And another thing, 2 July).

As an old broad-sheet reader I think I am neither greedy nor undiscriminating. Dur- ing the past five years my securities invest- ment income has halved because of govern- mental interest rates policy. Mr Murdoch seems to have acquired as readers many of us whose votes the Conservative Party has lost.

Brian Smith

13 Longcroft Crescent, Devizes