TWO things recently have given me both pessimism and optimism for the councillors representing the people of Bolton.

I am dismayed by the article in The Bolton News on February 28 that the Mayor, Cllr Guy Harkin, is still refusing to apologise for blaming the wrong person of heckling: “Get on with it” and “What are you going to do about the cuts”.

It was evident to everyone that Tom Hanley was not responsible for any of these comments, which were made by two separate individuals sitting in the gallery that night.

Cllr Harkin says he went to school with Tom Hanley and so recognised his voice. Maybe Cllr Harkin should be working for MI5 with these skills — or maybe not, because he is entirely wrong.

How hard can it be to just give a simple verbal apology? He would be more respected for it.

Now I will move to the positive section of my letter. I would like to give praise to Kate Challender, Labour councillor for Breightmet, who has organised a protest on March 16 against the Con-Dems’ despicable bedroom tax which attacks some of the poorest people in our country who are in social housing.

Kate has also campaigned in the past against the disgraceful payday loan companies who charge extortionate interest rates and again prey on the poorest people in our society. This is the type of thing that the people of Bolton need from every one of their Labour councillors in fighting against this government’s vicious attacks on our society. Well done to Kate in leading the way.

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