I DO not know of any political party in York that does not support more house building.

Moreover, the Conservatives now support house building on a scale not too far off what was in Labour’s 2011 council manifesto.

However, Cllr James Alexander has not stuck to his manifesto and has, instead, pursued a policy to destroy large tracts of open farmland around York. Furthermore, the urban sprawl that Mr Alexander wishes to create in our countryside will not provide the housing York needs, but will create metropolitan commuter belts.

Through his urbanisation of York’s rural areas, Mr Alexander would destroy the special character of York and turn it into part of the greater metropolitan district of West Yorkshire and Leeds.

For that he has no mandate.

Cllr Joe Watt, Conservative Member for Skelton, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without, The Village, Skelton.