I WAS appalled by your report about the delay to the area's much-needed flood defences (April 14).

Every year we pay more tax yet it isn't being spent on the things which really matter.

Before the General Election Labour promised they would take swift action to improve flood defences. Now we are told it may not happen until 2012/13.

Given that this is based on Mr Brown's rose-tinted view of the economy, don't hold your breath.

Michael Mitchell,

Thorpe Lane,

Cawood, Selby.

...IT was Nye Bevan who said socialism was all about priorities. We can all see what New Labour's priorities are as far as the citizens of York are concerned.

Blair and co are perfectly happy to contribute up to ten billion pounds - give or take the odd billion - to support Bush in his campaign to bomb and blast the Iraqi population to smithereens, but they can't find a paltry few millions to protect lives and property from flooding in York.

I see that Hugh Bayley has promised to fight this issue. Would that be one of his "unless we get a second UN resolution, I will oppose the war"-type promises by any chance?

If so, the residents of York's flood plain had better start laying in plenty of sandbags for the foreseeable future.

Bob Looker,

Socialist Alliance candidate,

Micklegate Ward,

Clifton Dale,

Clifton, York.

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, April 17, 2003