SIR – The resignation of former Conservative leader Anne Hawkesworth from the Tory group on Bradford Council tells us more about the jockeying for position on the Council than any points of principle.

The Tories are not unique in this; when the voters gave Ian Greenwood the red card it was notable that a better and more progressive leader was passed over in favour of David Green, who has failed to lead any fightback against Government attacks on local funding and democracy.

But should it not be made compulsory for any councillor who changes political allegiance to resign and seek re-election under their new label?

But has Coun Hawkesworth’s position really changed? She says she supports the Tory Government policies of targeting the poor rather than getting the bankers to pay for the mess they have made of the economy.

The same goes for the so-called ‘Independent’ group on the Council. A glance at their voting record shows that they are just the same old Tories sailing under false colours. Would it not be more honest to call themselves passed-over Tory careerists?

Karl Dallas, Church Green, Bradford