I REFER to Mr Peter McClements' letter published in the Bolton Evening News on March 31.

Mr McClements could not be further from the truth. Phil Ashcroft was born and has lived in Bolton all is life. Anyone who knows or has met Phil will know that he cares passionately about Bolton and the people who live here and that is why he has decided to stand for council. To try and portray him as caring more about the "leafy shires of the South" is absolute rubbish.

The whole point of Phil's original letter was to raise the issue about what this Government is doing to bolster its vote. Both Phil and I have always agreed with Peter Johnston's comments that public money should go to where the need is greatest, but we believe that this was not the prime mover behind the last rounds of settlements. The money has obviously been targeted at Labour councils to boost their flagging vote.

He makes a jibe that the basis of Phil's original letter was not intended for Bolton -- of course it was. It was because it shows that this Government continues to abuse its majority in Parliament and will do anything to bolster its flagging reputation and vote base. I appreciate that if someone writes to the Letters Page then they should expect and welcome debate, but to try and question Phil's motives and personal beliefs is unwarranted. At least Peter Johnston's arguments are constructive and he genuinely believes in what he says, irrespective or whether I, Phil, or other readers agree with him or not. Phil cares and believes that politics and Bolton are too important to leave to other people. This belief has motivated him to stand because he is not happy by the way Bolton is being run. Whether you agree with his politics or not, he will make an excellent councillor. He lives in the real world and has a genuine, deep-rooted concern for all.

I suppose some people will say "of course he would say that", but I not only believe in Bolton, Hulton Park and its residents, but I also believe in Phil Ashcroft. I know that he will do everything in his power to get the best settlement for Bolton, but that will not include a three-times the rate of inflation council tax increase with no improvement to our local services, as just delivered by this Labour administration!

Andy Morgan

(Cllr Hulton Park Ward)