SIR - I can well understand the discomfort felt by my ward colleague Margaret Layland at being seen to be in bed with the Conservatives, but her indignation (April 12) should not be allowed to obscure the truth.

In the last year alone Mrs Layland has chosen to vote with the city council's ruling Tory majority on key policy issues every time it mattered - to the Tories! In other words, when the Conservatives need her vote and support, she delivers.

It is true she supported unsuccessful Labour attempts to amend the Tories' budget plans, particularly to protect the riverside enhancement scheme (which previously had all-party support), but when it came to the main budget motion which cut services and increased the council tax, both she and Mike Layland abstained, thereby ensuring the Tories got their way (as accurately reported by Jack Blanchard).

Last October Mrs Layland voted with the Tories to defeat a Labour proposal for weekly food waste collections in a review of the wheelie-bin collection arrangements.

With this record of support, can anybody be surprised the local Tories, have embraced Margaret with open arms?

COUN DAVID CANDLER.

Worcester.