REGARDING the lead story in The Sentinel on March 6,'We'll sue for election snub', I feel – both as a loyal Labour Party member and as chairman of the City Labour Party – that there is much more to be said on the matter.

By bringing a legal action against the party that they claim to love, Gary Elsby, Barry Stockley and Mick Williams potentially undermine our efforts in the forthcoming elections where, among other things, we are fighting off a threat from the BNP and others on the far right.

While it would be idle to pretend that their dissatisfaction is new, I can confidently state that the vast majority of the local party feels that such internal disputes are best discussed and resolved within the party. Their outburst is widely regretted.

It would seem that Messrs Elsby, Stockley and Williams feel that they have been punished unfairly for opposing the elected mayor system. This is complete nonsense. Their candidature was dealt with in the same as every other hopeful.

Their petulant response to rejection is particularly regrettable coming at a time when the city's Labour Party seems on the brink of a genuine revival.

The selection of candidates for the forthcoming local elections is on course and far from 'parachuting people in', new talent is emerging from within our local communities.

Messrs Elsby, Stockley and Williams do not speak for the whole party. What we have here is not a split but a splinter group.

SARAH HILL

Chairman of the City Labour Party