In response to the letter from Ken Beaven (January 16), I would like to thank him for his concern for Hugh Bayley, but I can assure him that his sympathies are best reserved for the Conservative Party. In truth Mr. Beaven's letter had a strong aroma of sour grapes.

Hugh's promotion to the Government was a well earned reward for the excellent work he has performed as the Member of Parliament for York since 1992, and his particular understanding of the issues related to Social Security.

Mr. Beaven would have us believe that Hugh Bayley has had to somehow compromise his principles to gain this promotion, a proposition which would be laughable if it were not so unfair.

Like many York residents, he has supported the Government's decision to abolish Grant Maintained Schools and to increase spending on the health service by £21 billion. However, the most outrageous suggestion is that our MP did not serve York's best interests during the recent changes in the Army.

Hugh campaigned widely to try to keep the HQ in York, as is recognised by those most closely affected by the decision. He also, however, had the political sense to protect jobs by finding practical alternatives.

This demonstrates the same pragmatism which brought rail building jobs back to the city and the recently announced 750 jobs on the old ABB site.

Mr. Beaven will be able to compare this success with the desperate attempts by the last Tory MP in the city who presided over thousands of job losses as a result of Thatcherism, and who failed miserably to gain support from his own government.

David Ellis,

Chair, City of York Labour Party,

Holgate Road,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.