Sir - In the run-up to the general election, we are being asked to put a great deal of faith in the Conservatives' "long term economic plan," while they do all in their power to introduce widespread fracking to this small island.

As anyone who has seen the excellent film 'Gasland' or read Naomi Klein's new book 'This Changes Everything' will attest, fracking can lead to poisoning of water supplies and, if its progress is not halted, will contribute to levels of warming that may or may not be compatible with continued human existence.

Embracing fracking with such naked enthusiasm seems less like a "long term economic plan" and more like a suicidal gamble.

Mike Stafford

Worcester