I WONDER if the leader of the Tory group of City of York Council is losing touch with the real world?

In separate articles in The Press (February 19th) he praises the Con/Dem government on “bringing unemployment down”.

Whilst this is a good move, if indeed it is a fact, is Councillor Steward aware that more than 900,000 people at the end of 2013 were sanctioned from claiming Jobseekers Allowance and other benefits, meaning that they are not included in the benefit claimant numbers?

In another article, The Press (February 19th) he criticises the clergy for having the “audacity” to criticise the Con/Dem Government for their handling of the banking crisis and the ensuring austerity programme.

The PressThe church used to be called the Conservative Party at prayer, but may be getting up from its knees!

H F Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York.