Council taxpayers in west Wiltshire should realise the scheme to charge more for green bin collections could be the tip of the iceberg for many Tory-dominated local authorities.

Such changes are being packaged by the party as part of a process of increasing choice for householders. The choice being, so far as I can make out, to pay extra or lose services.

But rest assured, initially anyway, such increases will only be levied on services regarded as being relatively unimportant, like recycling. At a national level the Conservative leadership have made it clear they are keen to expand this principle.

Should they be elected we can all doubtless look forward to the return of steep entrance fees for museums, galleries etc before too long, as well as the promotion of private health insurance as a way of avoiding increased waiting lists for basic operations in the NHS.

It will be just like the good old days again.

I’m sure that Dr Murrison and our friend the Black Farmer will be first on the barricades to protect the public interest should my fears be proved correct. But for those considering the airbrushed Cameron option at the next election, the crucial question must be, can we really afford such a price?

James Tracey, Leigh Road, Bradford on Avon.