THE future of York's swimming pools is one of the most sensitive issues in the city.

Arguably, the threat hanging over one or more of the pools played a key part in Labour's defeat in the two recent by-elections, robbing the party of overall council control.

That would be enough, you might think, to ensure the Labour group would tread very carefully through the ongoing leisure review. Yet councillors have put their foot in it again.

Furious campaigners fighting to save the pools have accused the council of reneging on a promise to give them a say in the wording of a consultation questionnaire. In response, the council said no such pledge was made, and that protesters' views have been taken into account.

But that will not wash.

The council had a golden opportunity to build up some much-needed goodwill by inviting the campaigners to take an active part in the consultation process.

Instead, it has ploughed on regardless: regardless of the fact that these ordinary York residents felt so passionately about the pools that they organised a city-wide petition to save them; regardless of the fact that an incredible 25,000 people signed that petition; regardless of the fact that its reputation for being a "listening council" had already taken a battering over this and other issues.

Now the fairness of the pools questionnaire is in doubt before it has left the printers. In its desire to reach a decision, the council has jettisoned any chance to rebuff accusations that the consultation is biased.

The council's critics accuse it of paying lip service to public opinion. This row will reinforce their belief. But the pool campaigners have proved that people power can make a difference.

It is therefore crucially important that everyone responds to the questionnaire, flawed or not. Tick the relevant boxes, add comments and suggestions and send it back. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard. Take it.