I WRITE with regard to the article in The Press on February 26, headlined: “York’s political leaders speak out on Guildhall table protest.”

I was pleased to see the Liberal Democrat and Conservative group leaders condemn the behaviour shown by the protesters who climbed on the table in the centre of the council chamber.

I am passionate about people having the right to free speech and the right to protest, but I feel that interrupting a democratic meeting is stepping over the line.

I would further say that the fact that Coun James Alexander, the leader of the York council Labour group, did not condemn such behaviour is disappointing and irresponsible.

Ashley Mason, Albemarle Road, South Bank, York.


• THANKS to the wonders of modern technology and The Press website link to YouTube I was able to watch protesters disrupt a council meeting on the other side of the world. Seeing young scruffs chanting slogans and stamping their little feet because they couldn’t have what they wanted reminded me why I enjoy escaping to the sun every winter.

The protesters did get one thing right though, when they chorused “this is what democracy looks like”, because they were allowed to proceed with their little tantrum until they ran out of steam and calm police officers then asked them to step down and leave the room. In most non-democratic societies, such a protest would not be tolerated and the incident would have ended in painful violence.

Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York.

(Currently in Warragul, Australia).


• I WAS dismayed at last week’s budget council meeting at the betrayal of the young and vulnerable by the council’s Labour and Green councillors.

It was dishonest and insincere of these councillors to spread their make-believe that public spending could continue at hitherto profligate rates. Exactly what does Coun James Alexander propose be done to avoid us descending into the economic misery we see daily in Greece and Ireland?

I weep with the Irish parents whom I see on the news – almost daily – waving goodbye to their children heading off in desperation to seek employment in other countries, just like in the famine.

The greatest betrayal of our young and vulnerable would be to fail to tackle excessive public spending, because it is they who would suffer most from the dire consequences of such failure.

It is time James Alexander cast off his youthful naivety and faced up to economic reality. To do otherwise is to condemn those he claims to represent to poverty.

Coun Joe Watt, Conservative Member for Skelton, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without.


• I READ with interest the recent article and website comments regarding the budget council chamber protest of five people on a table.

Conservative councillor Joe Watt said it was “irresponsible” for Labour to remain seated during the protest. Labour remained so during the six-minute protest as the Lord Mayor had not given a clear ruling whether she had suspended the meeting.

Anyone who watches the online video of the protest filmed from the public gallery just behind Labour can confirm that no ruling was heard.

All we saw was all members remaining seated almost two minutes into the protest and Conservatives getting up to leave when protesters began chanting “George Osborne he don’t care, because he is a millionaire”.

They were followed by most, but not all the Liberal Democrats and the Lord Mayor. We were all waiting for her instruction as to whether to continue or the meeting be abandoned. On her return she said the time lost would not be added to that allocated to debate the council budget.

This shows the meeting was not suspended during the protest. Therefore it can be argued it was irresponsible to leave.

Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour Opposition Group.