Thinking about the forthcoming election is rather depressing. Theresa May wants to increase the majority of Conservative MPs so that (she says) she will have more support in negotiating a good deal for us in Europe.

This rather savours of blackmail. It is actually a cunning manoeuvre which seems to be working.

But beware! A reduction in the number of opposition MPs would spell disaster; no one to stop the Tories from carrying out their typical policies of pandering to the privileged at the expense of those struggling to make a living.

We need to use our votes and use them wisely to support the candidates who have the best chance of winning a seat on the opposition bench in order to preserve our democracy.

Jean Frost, Heworth, York

Don’t give your backing to hunters

IF you vote Tory in the election you are voting for a party that has slaughtered thousands of badgers with more to come. Also the Tories want to bring back the barbaric blood sport fox hunting.

We have a chance to rid the country of these people. No more Tally-ho, no more Tories, good riddance from me, good riddance from the animals. Vote Labour.

D Fillingham, The Crossway, York

Student return has far-reaching effect

It would be interesting to see whether a Labour MP would be returned in York Central without the predominantly left-wing vote of the students of York University living off campus and St John’s College, who are able to register to vote in York Central even though their home address could be miles from York.

After they’ve left university their interest in York for most of them will be non-existent, yet their vote could have far-reaching consequences.

Keith Thornton, De Grey Place, Bishopthorpe, York

Inclusive Greens show way ahead

As a Green Party member, I want to express my admiration for the way it consulted members prior to deciding not to stand in the forthcoming General Election (Greens withdraw from York Central fight to avoid ‘splitting the vote’, May 11).

Although I personally voted against the decision, I was pleased to have been part of a process where individual viewpoints were listened to with respect. We all found it a difficult choice, and several people wavered or changed their minds – all part of an open, democratic process.

How refreshing for a political party these days. To me, it confirmed the Greens as a grassroots movement where everyone is given the chance to speak and has an equal voice. A party that cares about the country’s future and wants to work collaboratively.

The fortunate people of Micklegate and Hull Road have the opportunity of showing their support for such an approach in the local by-elections on June 8.

Pam Hanley, Collingwood Avenue, York

More charity than I first thought

I apologise to readers as in my letter “Charity a little too close to home” printed on Saturday (May 13) I stated that there were only seven charity shops in Acomb when in fact there are now eight. I had a telephone conversation with Anne Church who had a letter printed next to mine (neither of us knew the other was writing) and she had sent her husband Alf up to Acomb to count the shops and he was delighted to prove me wrong!

Jenny Hilton, Holgate Lodge Drive, York

My question over cut-price sale

REGARDING the discounted sale of the property adjoining Fairfax House by City of York Council to York Conservation Trust (The Press, May 1), council leader David Carr says “the sale agreement will force a repayment of the discount in the unlikely event the property is used for any commercial purpose in the future”.

Seeing how Fairfax House is open to visitors who are charged an entry fee, surely this property is used for commercial purposes?

Geoff Robb, Hunters Close, Dunnington, York