SO an agreement has been reached that the York council tax rise is to be five per cent.

The Government has strongly recommended pay increases should not be above inflation so our economy can flourish. Yet, in his infinite wisdom, possibly because he is not a Labourite, Steve Galloway goes beyond the inflation rate once again.

How does he think the pensioners of York can afford these increases when their pensions are governed by the inflation rate?

Everybody blames the Government for keeping pensioners poor, but it's people such as Steve Galloway who are the worst culprits.

Once again the poor get poorer. I wonder if Steve Galloway knows the meaning of the words Liberal and Democrat?

I'll explain:

Liberal: of political party favouring democratic reforms and individual freedom, generous and tolerant

Democracy: government by the people or their elected representative.

I would not say the above means extorting cash from the residents of York and, in particular, the pensioners, thereby decreasing their spending ability and subsequently their standard of living.

Christopher R Leeman,

Bouthwaite Drive,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:39 Friday, January 21, 2005