IAN COLLINSON (Letters, December 11), replying to my letter about defecting Labour councillors, writes that taxpayers can only speculate what may be going on.

Speculate means indulge in thought, rumours, and so forth. By speculating and the repetition of speculation, the thousands of The Press readers are led to believe that the rumours are actually true.

The real fact is that a number of councillors have changed allegiance in a short period of time because they were deselected and could not accept the democratic process that removed them.

I have never read Mr Collinson speculating about any party other than Labour and can only speculate why.

H Masters, Beckfield Lane, York.