WHERE is the dignity in the councillors' slagging match that readers of the Evening Press are watching unfold in these letters pages?

Local politicians - of all hues - constantly scratch their heads bleating "why is no one interested in politics?" Let me tell you why - it's because of you.

Councillors Galloway (Lib Dem) and Merrett (Labour), to name just two, are frankly a disgrace.

It's bad enough York's elected councillors can't run their finances efficiently. It's an insult to the electorate that they stay in office, taking their fees and keep up this Tweedledee and Tweedledumb show.

Two weeks ago I took a coach load of first-time voters to see the House of Commons, Conservative Central Office and the Millbank Media Centre. They were all impressed and some even inspired to get further involved.

Politics needs inspiring role models if it is to be engaging to the public. The public is crying out for a change of Government.

Politics needs respect. Let it start in York. Gentlemen, shake hands, shut up, and do the job York's electorate put you there to perform.

While you're at it, open one of the swimming pools. Last weekend I took my daughter for a swim only to be turned away by two "closed" signs. So we went to Tadcaster.

Asked why we had to go on such a long drive for a splash-about my daughter told her younger sister, "Ah, it's political. You'll understand one day." Wish I did.

Clive Booth,

York's Conservative Parliamentary candidate,

Ash Street, York.

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, November 18, 2004