COLIN Layland (You Say, October 13) says Worcester people said "no" to Labour in the 2000 city council election, but they actually voted for a council evenly balanced between Labour and Conservatives.

He goes on to insult the intelligence of St Barnabas ward voters, saying they would vote for a "cardboard Mickey Mouse, " a character whose integrity and good humour I have long admired.

I presume that this is the same Colin Layland who went on to stand as an Independent in the county elections but lost to Labour. I suggest it is he, and not I, with the "sour grapes".

Colin Layland's wife, Margaret, and brother Mike, are both former Labour councillors. But bearing in mind their voting record, I challenge them to stand as Tory candidates in the next election to give voters a more realistic choice.

COUN PAUL DENHAM, St Barnabas Ward, Worcester.