SIR – We write in response to the letters of Matthew Jenkins and Alex Kear in the Worcester News (May 23), although we could have made the same response to a number of letters and comments criticising the Lib Dems for their support of a minority Conservative administration.

Our decision to support the Conservatives was taken to provide a secure administration for this city.

Labour would have had no majority even if supported by the two Lib Dems (17 Tory councillors, 15 Labour and two Lib Dems) and no one able to ascertain the intentions of the single Green councillor.

On the other hand, simply doing nothing would have led to a continuation of this administration, but with no stability for the future.

Unlike the so-called independents who privately supported the Conservatives, we have an agreement, publicly announced and fully published (see the council website under News).

We have required some policy commitments, for example the provision of more low-cost housing and support to protect Worcester’s green belt.

We have insisted on greater cross-party involvement in the council’s work. We have secured a Labour mayoralty – with its potential casting vote – to remind this administration that they have no overall majority and must govern accordingly.

It is an attempt to reflect the electoral result.

It is also an undertaking to provide a secure and stable administration in the best interests of Worcester’s residents.

It is the interests of this city, and not concern for the results of the next election, which should be the overriding pre-occupation of all elected representatives.

It was certainly uppermost in our minds over the last few weeks.

COUNCILLOR LIZ SMITH and COUNCILLOR KEN CARPENTER