ZAC GOLDSMITH is not my cup of tea, but I disagree with Chris Moncrieff who berates him (The Press, December 6) for selfishly calling a by-election.

Goldsmith was elected as a Tory, but recently resigned from the party over the Heathrow runway decision.

His constituents have a right to be represented by what the candidates described themselves as on the ballot paper.

Nearly all the other MPs, MEPs and councillors who have found themselves in a similar situation have carried on under a new banner without a mandate for their new stance.

At least Goldsmith showed a bit of principle.

Geoff Robb, Hunters Close, Dunnington, York