CAN I thank Cllr Andrew Morgan, the Conservative Chief Whip in Bolton, for replying to me in his letter “Tories opposed to road charge” (November 13).

Cllr Morgan took the Tory official line and stated that they are against the proposed congestion charge and are lobbying for a “no” vote.

What he has still failed to explain is why the Conservatives, who are in control of the GMPTA and who run our public transport network in Greater Manchester, are “neutral” and why his Tory colleague, Cllr Norman Critchley, Bolton’s GMPTA representative stated this at the last full Council meeting.

Perhaps Cllr Morgan can also explain why the GMPTA is lobbying for a “yes” vote for the congestion charge and why the GMPTA logo appears on all the literature lobbying for a “yes” and the website GM Future Transport, which lobbies for “yes”?

Surely, Cllr Morgan, your Tory colleagues on the GMPTA including Cllr Critchley, who has remained strangely quiet on this subject, would have ensured that they would have stopped the organisation that they control from campaigning and supporting the congestion charge?

So, yes, Cllr Morgan, as you are now apparently speaking on behalf of Cllr Critchley, until this is explained by yourself, I will remain confused about why the Tories say one thing in public — that they are against the congestion charge — but behind the scenes are happy for the GMPTA, which your party controls, to support the congestion charge.

I have to say Cllr Morgan that, as Chief Whip of your party, you do not seem to be able to do your job!

Cllr Richard Silvester, Labour, Smithills Ward