AFTER the Lib Dem’s by-election win in Westfield Ward, I wonder if Conservative leader Chris Steward would like to reflect on his ill-advised comment that the Lib Dems were “a spent force in York”, given that the Lib Dems received 15 times more votes than his party.

Perhaps he should reflect that the Lib Dems seem to be able to get their councillors elected by voters rather than by recruiting defectors.

In any case, given the parlous state of the council in York, this is no time for petty manoeuvring by any opposition party ahead of the 2015 elections.

The priority for all non-Labour councillors should be to work together to revise the local plan and to eliminate the political dogma that sought to expand the city far beyond its needs for natural growth irrespective of the catastrophic damage to the green belt.

York desperately needs a local plan to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing, but not the one proposed by Labour.

The Lib Dems have struck the first blow with their council motion to review the plan, which other parties sensibly supported.

Perhaps this type of cooperation needs to continue for the benefit of York’s residents.

Tony Fisher, West End, Strensall.