AS informative as Coun Blanchard always is, I must mention two things regarding his letter (December 11).

Firstly, that as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Heworth at the last election, I am responsible for the allegedly misleading remarks to his electorate.

I don't remember ever having made claims for a £100 cashback on council tax. I did have frequent discussions on the doorstep about the regressive nature of council tax and how unfair it is becoming, especially for those on fixed income.

I did mention my party's national commitment to a local income tax to replace the council tax, a move that could save many people up to and more than the £100 he talks about.

Secondly I couldn't help but notice the irony of his concern for Heworth residents, placed as it was directly above the picture of the local Heworth businesswoman fighting for her livelihood.

It is time Coun Blanchard forgot about cheap political point-scoring and got on with doing the job he was elected to do, representing the people of Heworth.

Nigel Ayre,

Galtres Road,

Heworth,

York.

Updated: 12:18 Tuesday, December 16, 2003