I read with interest a letter from former Lib-Dem Strensall councillor Ian Cuthbertson (Majority mix-up, May 24).

He said I was attempting to “spread misinformation about Lib Dem-Conservative coalition proposals to reform the way Parliament is dissolved”.

Ian quite rightly points out the difference between dissolving Parliament and a vote of no confidence, but the spirit of calling an election through these means remains the same.

Dissolution has been carried out by the Queen in response to a request by the Prime Minister.

By convention, when a vote of no confidence has been passed by a simple majority of 51 per cent a dissolution of Parliament has followed.

Ian is attempting to defend the coalition’s plans to introduce a dissolution clause in a fixed-term Parliament system that would require a super-majority of 55 per cent of MPs.

This deliberately tries to protect the current coalition for partisan reasons. This is not practical and is not fair. It is ridiculous for a Government to possibly remain in office due to the support of only 45 per cent of MPs.

This could mean the Government could be paralysed and could not pass any budget or legislation, but also could not be removed from office.

Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour opposition group, Holgate Road, York.

• It was sad to see (Power and principle, Letters, June 1) former Labour group leader David Scott questioning my motives in 2007 for being prepared to work with other parties in the interests of York’s future.

Had he agreed to work in a cross-party executive, Coun Scott and his Labour colleagues could perhaps have taken charge of key issues such as leisure provision and the Barbican, rather than needing to “hold to account” a weak, minority Lib-Dem administration making a mess of it.

Fortunately now for Labour, other councillors in his group have recently passed their verdict on his leadership. It will be up to the people of Clifton next year to decide whether he continues to represent them, or whether they would prefer to strengthen the weight of Green councillors on City of York Council.

Coun Andy D’Agorne, Green group leader, City of York Council, Broadway West, York.