Castle Point Labour Party Treasurer, Brian Wilson, was a good, hard working and decent Labour councillor.

He deserves full and detailed answers to his questions about my MP expenses (Letters, October 19) .

At the last election, I was officially measured as the number one hardest working of all 646 MPs. To achieve this, I often travel between Westminster and Castle Point, occasionally more than once a day. Last week I travelled to Westminster five times and stayed in my Westminster flat three nights.

I could cut down my work at Westminster and my local meetings. That would reduce my travelling costs and make life a lot easier for me. But surely MPs should work hard and be dedicated. I doubt Labour will fight the next election on a manifesto promise of less work and lower availability.

Brian also questions my London Living Allowance. He allows me to reveal I claimed less than many MPs and, unlike most MPs, I heavily subsidise the cost of my work flat at Westminster from my own pocket and have made almost no personal use of it this year.

This flat enables me to work longer hours at Westminster, often 7.30 am to 11.30 pm, and to meet my target of helping people as quickly as possible.

Brian implies I am the MP only for Conservatives. People know how wrong he is on this as well. I do my very best for everyone, irrespective of their politics. Indeed, I put politics aside and worked hard to get justice for Brian and the local Labour Party just last year! I think his comments will be seen for what they are.

Castle Point people want the Labour Party to stop making personal attacks and to work with me on the important matters that affect us.

Issues like stopping over-development and the Calor Gas plant, improving our infrastructure, stopping EU federalism, telling the truth and, especially, keeping manifesto promises. Only in this way will the Castle Point Labour Party regain the trust of local people.

Dr Bob Spink MP
Downer Road
Benfleet