THE standard of public debate on a matter of importance and interest in Bristol – the council's long-term plan to sell off a number of poorer-quality plots of land as part of its Parks and Green Spaces Strategy (PGSS) – slumped to a new low last Thursday.

The Evening Post – in its determination to promote one point of view at any cost – published photos of 16 Liberal Democrat councillors over the headline, 'Hypocrites'. Some of the information in the report was wholly inaccurate and none of it substantiated the charge in the headline.

This hysterical condemnation of councillors resulted from unquestioning support by the Post for a Conservative motion calling for the PGSS to be scrapped even before the consultation results have been evaluated – itself a knee-jerk reaction to protests from some residents over some of the proposals.

But let us look at the facts.

● The council proposes to invest in the city's parks.

● For years there have been complaints from the public about the lack of supervision to prevent anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and calls for park-keepers, better play areas and the restoration of parks such as Eastville. The plan proposes some sales of land – over the next 20 years – to provide much-needed funding.

Labour's original plans would have caused the sale of more green space and would have reinvested in Bristol's parks much less of the proceeds (50 per cent instead of the present 70 per cent).

It was the Lib Dems who banned the sale of green belt land for housing and industry, which had previously been backed by a Labour administration that relied on Tory support to stay in power.

Bristol people have been canvassed in the widest possible consultation, with a record number of responses.

There have been more than 3,000, not including people who signed petitions or attended drop-in sessions.

Councillors have worked with residents to establish which of the sell-offs would be acceptable to their local communities.

Councillors have also campaigned with residents to save sites their communities want to keep.

All the responses received in the consultation are now being evaluated.

Final proposals will be put together over the next few weeks, taking account of these responses.

Last Tuesday's debate in the council chamber – which the Post was reporting – was not part of the decision-making process.

It was simply about a Tory motion to scrap the whole strategy straightaway – without even listening to the responses we've had to consultation.

Liberal Democrats voted against this ludicrous idea and found themselves publicly branded as hypocrites.

I am very disturbed by the Post's coverage, which once again has resorted to pressurising individual councillors to abandon their principles and kow-tow to the voices of those who shout loudest.

The meaning of Thursday's front page was clear: "Do as we say or we will continue to humiliate you." I don't think this macho posturing and bullying should be allowed to dictate public policy.

This is not a proud moment for democracy. The aggression and self-righteousness of those who want to scrap everything shows contempt for the views expressed in the consultation and for the interests of the people who choose not to protest or who support the proposals.

There will always be opposition to change. While those involved in the parks movement urge the need for change, some local residents will want to retain particular sites, regardless of any overall strategy.

We will listen very closely to these views. We will wish to introduce changes to the current plans where strong arguments for keeping sites are made.

Lib Dem administrations at Bristol City Council have many times shown that we listen and are prepared to drop or change council plans following consultation. The designs of both the Museum of Bristol and the Colston Hall foyer have benefited from our willingness to listen.

The Post and all our local media have a duty to scrutinise the activities of people in public life. They do not have a right to insult and hold up to public ridicule and contempt elected councillors going about their business properly and in good faith.

Not for the first time, members of my party have been singled out for this style of bullying and intimidation. It is calculated and inexcusable.

My party on this council will always listen to people of other points of view. But we will never give in to unelected media that seek to govern this city's affairs by diktat.