YET another Labour councillor has put the needs of York before the dictates of the domineering Labour Group thereon.

First it was the late Lynn Jeffries who left Labour to become an Independent. Then Brian Watson abandoning Labour to become an Independent, and now in a brave mood Helen Douglas has left Labour to join the Conservatives, thereby taking advantage of the opportunity to express her views freely.

The opposition parties now, before the Westfield by-election, see themselves with the same number of votes as the ruling Labour group. In this precarious position, will Labour now start to listen to the opposition groups?

They have singularly failed to do so over the past three years. I also wonder if any other Labour councillors will see sense and evacuate this sinking ship and, like Helen Douglas, put the people of York before party politics.

Chris Thorpe, Wheldrake, York.