THE issue of the Derwenthorpe development has led to some surprising demands on my loyalty.

Don Spaven (Letters, March 18) refers to my allegiance to the Lib Dem party line. I am happy to tell him that at no time has my party, or any member of it (including some residents who I know support the development), ever asked me to vote, or speak, in a particular way over the issue.

On the other hand, the parish council has written to me saying its members are astonished I have not called for a public inquiry "whether I agree with it or not." They have also said it is a "worthless exercise to hypothesise as to the possible outcome" of a public inquiry "to assess whether it is an avenue wroth pursuing." No doubt the parish council would take the same attitude about the call of the MP for an investigation by the auditor.

If the outcome were to require the council to find a higher bidder for the land, the consequences would be disastrous for the residents of Osbaldwick. Yet the parish council seem to argue that this is something that I, as the local councillor, should ignore. I shall continue to base my judgment in these issues on what I believe to be the best interests of residents - that is where my loyalty lies.

Jonathan Morley,

Hempland Lane, York.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, March 31, 2005