STEVE Galloway's comments that the Labour group is being extreme over the review of the council's constitution (April 5) are outrageous.

It is bizarre for Coun Galloway to believe that it is extreme for members of the Labour group to ask for a proper system for holding the executive to account over the decisions they make.

In truth it is the Lib Dems that are being extreme in their clear attempts to undermine the due democratic processes and debate within the council. Just some of the things that the Lib Dems have put forward include proposals to:

Limit the number of motions that can be put before council and prevent them being tabled on the day of the meetings

Force councillors to give lengthy advance notice of questions that will be asked at council so that they have more time to prepare their answers (or excuses)

Completely suppress debate on motions to council by vetting them at their executive meeting first.

Apply a "guillotine" at council meetings and "nod through" any remaining business without debate, no doubt using their inbuilt majority to impose their will

Restrict the scrutiny of decision-making by starving the scrutiny function of adequate resources.

Since Coun Galloway and his Lib Dem group took over control of the council in 2003 it has been clear that they have no wish to listen to the people of York before imposing their damaging policies on the city, which have led to so many Lib Dem let downs.

And now it seems they are intent on stifling debate and opposition from other elected councillors

Coun Sandy Fraser,

Micklegate ward

Millfield Road,

York.

Updated: 09:56 Monday, April 17, 2006