SO we say farewell to James Alexander, erstwhile council leader, self-styled saviour of York, who, in his own words and opinion, has rescued York from stagnation in 2011 to prosperity in 2014, southward bound for a job in Ed Miliband’s election team.

Well, let’s hope Ed’s still in tenure when he gets there otherwise his first job will be arranging the furniture for musical chairs and pass the parcel.

My late father-in-law would say of any politician who seemed full of his own importance: “Oh ‘im, ‘e’s nowt but an o-p-m dealer – ‘e’s a dealer in other people’s money.”

G Searstone, Moor Lane, York.