I MUST respectfully disagree with John Heawood about his comments on York MP Hugh Bayley (Letters, February 2).

Yes, Hugh did say that he would not support a war without a second resolution. He was, quite rightly, putting as much pressure as possible on Tony Blair to get a second resolution before going to war.

But then something unforeseen happened. France shocked everyone by saying it would not support a second resolution under any circumstances.

The situation changed massively - it was crunch time and, if we had faltered at that point, Saddam would have known he could have got away with anything from then.

At the moment of truth you either back down in the face of a dictator, or you don't. What authority would the weapons inspectors have had if we had backed down? Saddam would have kicked them out and just laughed at us.

Hugh's decision was the best of the two options available to him.

What kind of MPs do we want in our democracy? Those who belligerently hold on to a view when circumstances change, or those brave enough to take the right decision at the right time?

Hugh's change of stance took genuine moral courage.

Coun Paul Blanchard,

Labour, Heworth Ward,

Heworth Mews, York.

...I DO not know the circumstances in which Hugh Bayley made the promise to his constituents, to which John Heawood refers.

What I do know, not least from reports about his activities in the Evening Press, is how hard he works, on behalf of his constituents.

A promise made before others is a serious matter, but few of us would weigh so harshly in the balance a person of otherwise exemplary probity, who, for instance, failed on one occasion to uphold his/her marriage vows.

I understand that, on the subject of the Iraq vote, Mr Bayley has had the courage to face his critics in private and at a public meeting.

At a time when senior politicians are being accused of lying, I applaud our MP's honesty.

He should be judged on his record during 11 years not on one incident, however serious.

Mary Machen,

Neville Street, York.

...DOES Hugh Bayley have any convictions whatsoever if he can change his mind so frequently? Or does he have his mind changed for him?

It seems to me that Tony Blair has total control over two-thirds of the elected members of his party in the House of Commons. He manipulates people and events to suit his own purpose and any opposition to his will is seen as disloyalty.

Is this democracy or the emergence of a dictator? Mrs Thatcher had a similar problem which inevitably led to her downfall.

Let us hope history will repeat itself before Blair has completely destroyed any faith the voters may have had in Labour politicians.

Mr Bayley should stand up and be counted. Show a little independence from your mind-bending masters and perhaps we may be able to vote you back into the House of Commons in the next General Election.

Trudie Elliott,

Hopgrove Lane North, York.

Updated: 10:05 Thursday, February 05, 2004