IN COMMENTING on the Yorkshire First movement, Martin Crudge (Letters, March 4) suggests that the existing political parties are not interested in this idea, and that all the York Central candidates will be based in London, taking orders from their party whips, claiming expenses and popping back to York occasionally.

As the Green Party candidate, I can assure him that he could not be more wrong if I were elected. I have lived in York for 28 years and would still do so, travelling happily by our excellent East Coast railway between our city and Parliament.

The Greens do not have party whips – we think for ourselves in each situation. We claim only modest and proper expenses. And as for Yorkshire First, Green Party policies have for years supported the kind of devolution and local financing and responsibility that the movement is proposing.

Voting Green is the best way to achieve for Yorkshire the status it deserves.

Jonathan Tyler, Green Party candidate for York Central.