Robert Barnes writes that myself and Harrow’s Conservative Group should do more to support Harrow Council’s efforts to save money (“Stop sniping and start suggesting”, Your Views, October 2).

Some context may prove helpful. The council’s Labour administration launched its proposals for service cuts at an event on September 11 and you might imagine such an event would be well-publicised.

In fact, it was invite-only.

Our group unofficially found out about it the day before and didn’t receive any formal information about the event itself or the proposed cuts until six hours prior.

Naturally, some of our councillors went along anyway, but as one member of staff told me the next day ‘They really didn’t want your group to come.’.

And let’s not forget Labour going back on its word by booting the Conservatives off the cabinet and out of the chairmanships of the council’s various scrutiny committees.

Having us in these roles would have allowed us a greater role in challenging decisions, highlighting savings and ensuring value for money.

Labour is very keen to talk about its mandate; whether this is merely rubbing the election result in, or because it is still smarting from the split in its group last year isn’t clear.

But ever since Labour formally took over in June, it has done everything it can to keep the opposition at arm’s length.

So I’m afraid Mr Barnes’ issue is really with Labour, not us.

Cllr Susan Hall

Leader of the Conservative group, Harrow Borough Council