A WAR of words has broken out between York's political parties over their candidate selections for next month's council election.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway accused Labour and the Conservatives of fielding too many candidates who do not live in the wards they are contesting.

He said: "It is true that none of the parties have, in every case, been able to find suitable candidates who are resident in the ward that they seek to represent.

"However, this year the Tories and Labour have set a new low by nominating local candidates in only 32 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, of the seats that they are contesting.

"I think it is a shame if the local bond is being discarded.

"I have always lived in the ward I represent and find it is invaluable as I seek to reflect the mood and priorities of residents. I am also much more accessible to voters."

Coun Galloway said 64 per cent of the Lib Dem candidates lived in their wards.

He said: "Labour make much of the local leadership role of councillors. It is a shame they do not take this responsibility into account when selecting candidates.

"There also seems to be a new trend with the Tories in nominating people who don't even live in York (they rely on a business or land ownership qualification to get on the ballot paper), or who are temporary students in halls of residences at the university."

But Conservative agent John Galvin said: "This is about electing the best person for the job, and if he Coun Galloway has nothing better to do than sit and work out percentages, the sooner he is removed from the top post in the council the better.

"At least our candidates will not be guilty of losing residents a county-standard swimming pool, like at the Barbican."

Labour leader Dave Merrett said: "We select candidates on a number of criteria. Local interest is an important one, but that does not necessarily mean residency - it is also about whether they have past connections, work in the area, or have a particular knowledge.

"Particularly in the more urban parts of the city, boundaries are somewhat arbitrary anyway. The important thing is that candidates are going to put the time and effort into representing local people and improving the wards they hope to represent."