I WRITE in response to Cllr Chris Steward’s recent letter criticising our MP, Rachael Maskell (The Press, April 20).

I moved to York some 23 years ago after a lifetime in politics, largely at national level.

To me one of the advantages of working in York local politics was the ever-present respect which was always part of the culture of York.

Belonging to a party whose policies change faster than the weather, Cllr Steward might do well to remember the saying “people in glass houses should not throw stones”.

I realise that desperate situations call for desperate measures but, given the indisputable evidence of our MP’s 24/7 work record and her daily efforts to investigate each and every potential/real problem, plus other issues of interest, I assume she could present “a desperate situation” to Cllr Steward.

That said, he would be well advised to take a leaf out of the book of his senior, more experienced colleagues on how best to deal with the issue.

He would also do well to realise that because his leader uses rudeness to deal with opposition, he does not have to follow her example.

Liz Edge, Parkside Close, York