Councillor Ken Bodfish (Letters, June 8) shows the essential difference between the Labour council and the Conservative group in its attitude to the people's money and the way it is spent.

Coun Bodfish contends the money for the Capital of Culture bid is a "drop in the ocean".

This ignores the fact that someone has to earn that money before it can be taxed and then spent by Brighton and Hove City Council.

People pay their taxes for genuine services, not for gimmicks or free nights out. That "drop in the ocean" could be used to do a number of minor but important jobs around the city.

This cavalier approach to taxing and spending is what has got the council into such a mess financially in the first place.

Things need to change and we will, if elected to control next May, ensure this happens from day one.

-Coun Brian Oxley, Leader of the Conservative group, Brighton and Hove City Council