COUNCILLOR Keith Aspden turned down Labour’s offer of a seat on the Cabinet. In my opinion, he was wrong to do so.

It is natural to be suspicious of the offer but Councillor Chris Steward was correct to go ahead and get stuck in. In doing so, Cllrs Steward and Daffydd Williams should be applauded for putting their city above party politics.

The past five years have shown that the Lib Dems nationally are prepared to sacrifice popularity in order to take tough decisions alongside other parties. It is a shame that Cllr Aspden has failed to show comparable local leadership at this important time.

Difficult times demand difficult decisions and shouting from the sidelines is not putting York first.

Nick Emmerson, Dringhouses, York.