I WAS disappointed to read Cllr John Galvin’s thinly-veiled criticism of independent councillors and his defence of the Conservative group (Letters, January 28).

John knows that my position in the Conservative group had become gradually more untenable because the group was to my mind dominated by those who put their own interests before those of the people of York and the party.

Since leaving the group I have felt liberated. I no longer have to follow a group with little vision and which avoids addressing the difficult issues.

Local councillors are elected to represent local issues. They cannot do that if they are tied to the pursuit of national party dogma, are a prop for a local MP or are obsessed with scoring points over opponents on social media.

I believe the people of York want their councillors to work on local matters for the greater good of the York residents. Only independent councillors free of the shackles of narrow party lines can achieve that.

Cllr Joe Watt Independent member for Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward, City of York Council, Skelton, York.