YOU reported how some former Labour supporters were upset with the Government's use of military force against Iraq and had decided not to vote Labour in the council elections in May (April 19).

I am a member of the Labour Party with strongly-held views that the Blair-Bush coalition has been responsible for a terrible crime that will bring serious consequences for us all.

Responsibility for the war lies with the Government and those MPs who voted for it.

Local government elections haven't the remotest link with such matters. The elections in May are about our local services and the proud record of achievement of York's Labour council.

To suggest withdrawing support from Labour candidates will somehow affect the conduct of central Government is misguided.

It would alter nothing.

If we want the promise of a better future for the people of York, then voting Labour must represent the best option.

Paul Kind,

Sefton Avenue,

York.

...Has it really only been four years since the last local election? The question I ask myself, and urge all other council tax payers to consider, is do we really need another period of yearly hikes in the amount the council plunders from our resources to fund it's extravagant spending?

It is obvious, from recent proposals, that it has no intention of curbing its policy on spending, nor does it take any notice of the electorate.

Since the boundary extensions, my tax has gone up more than 70 per cent and it is coupled with the additional income from all the premises now included in the area, means the amount at the council's disposal must have almost tripled. Yet we see no real improvements to York's problems.

The city council has become so bigoted against the motor car that it has squandered millions making war on the motorist and at the same time spent vast amounts on providing cycle facilities for a minority group.

We should also look at the obscene amount the council claim in remunerations. Everyone I speak to is thoroughly fed up with this council and the way it conducts itself but unfortunately an air of complacency and inevitability seems to prevail.

It is no good whingeing in four years' time that the average bill has risen to £2,000 which it will under this regime.

Now is the time to rid ourselves of this Labour council and examine the motivation of any new candidate so that a much more sensible approach can be pursued.

John Miller,

Hunters Close,

Dunnington,

York.

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, April 23, 2003