SIR – Like Mr George Galloway, I too am an incomer to Bradford (1966). I came to love the place and enjoyed living here.

What puzzles me is the picture of Bradford that resides in the mind of Mr Galloway.

He seems to suggest that we have been snubbed by the organisers of the Tour de France.

Why on Earth would an event that has to cater for at least 2.5 million tourists, competitors and support staff, organised to promote Yorkshire tourism and display to the world the beauties of this county, even consider the Bradford we have become?

They could, of course, enjoy acres of free parking, dine in our fine restaurants, gaze in awe at the magnificent park in the heart or shop at leisure in our fine selection of charity shops, betting parlours and pound stores. Maybe promenade around the great hole of the Westfield site...

If we want to understand why we are not considered, perhaps we should look at the excellent leadership and financial wisdom shown by our elected leaders of the last 12 years.

It is they who have made Bradford what it is today, Mr Galloway.

Perhaps you could start with a policy for change?

C R Wilcox, Roundwood Glen, Greengates