IT IS surely time for Hugh Bayley to consider his position as Labour’s representative for York due to his inability to represent the working class.

Take Mr Bayley’s reaction to his constituents having to face benefit sanctions and zero-hours contracts (Column, December 20).

Myself I find it appalling that ‘Andrew’ works part-time 364 days a year. Yet Mr Bayley doesn’t angrily condemn this and although he criticises the insane sanctions applied to his constituent’s benefits, he later states “but sanctions must be applied fairly”.

Mr Bayley then talks about those desperately clinging on at the edges of breadline Britain. He sprinkles his column with Big Society words such as volunteers, good neighbours, food banks, donations even including the Salvation Army.

Let’s not overlook his sound-bite about Labour’s pledge concerning freezing fuel bills.

With politicians such as Hugh Bayley, what hope is there for the future? Labour condones welfare caps, learning or training and benefits withdrawal – all against a backdrop of five million unemployed, widespread poverty and homelessness.

Mr Bayley can retire now, unlike the women robbed by his ilk of around £35,000 pension if retirement at the age of 60 hadn’t been denied them.

Tom Scaife, Manor Drive, York.