SIR I am not an advocate of proportional representation, but when there is no outright control of the Council, as was the case last Thursday, then I feel it was very arrogant for the Labour leader to say he would consult with all other parties, who had had councillors elected, except the BNP, of which, I am not a supporter.

I calculated that the BNP had a total of more than 16,000 votes, nearly 40 per cent of Labour's total, so what right has he to ignore these 16,000, who expect and deserve good policies from the Labour-led coalition.

The BNP voters will not be won over by sending them to Coventry but will encourage them and others to support the BNP all the more just to show how they feel about Greenwood's attitude.

One Labour MP complained that the BNP had been helped by MP Margaret Hodge's comments but it is up to all parties, especially Labour, to heed their concerns, not denigrate them.

Philip Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley