Any suggestion that the magnificent Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Central Library should be sold off to the private sector is an outrage (Michael Gove to appoint commissioners to run Birmingham city council, 17 September). Birmingham is one of the great Victorian cities that brought fine public buildings, clean water, safe sewerage, public education, improved health and decent housing to thousands. Thirteen years of Conservative government have reduced 200 years of proud local government to a rump. Not satisfied with the destruction of local public services with austerity, the final act of this awful government is a fire sale of what is left of iconic local public assets. Birmingham’s citizens should rise up in fury at this vandalism. Dr Robin C Richmond Bromyard, Herefordshire Birmingham declaring itself bankrupt is a concern for all of us. In its attempts to balance the books, Croydon sold the Riesco collection of rare Chinese porcelain left to the town in perpetuity by a local businessman. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, owned by the city, houses a collection of international importance. If, as he claims, Mr Gove does not take these decisions lightly, will he declare this an asset that won’t be stripped? Frank Edwards Croydon, London A typically devious ploy by the Tories. Systematically underfund a city council until it is driven into bankruptcy, but blame it all on Labour. Then, send in government-appointed commissioners, before embarking on a fire sale of council assets to cronies. Doubtless a dress-rehearsal for the NHS.