I REFER to Peter Johnston's letter of March 14.

History is exactly that, the past, which I very much agree we must learn from.

So why is it he thinks it is right to be diverting money from non-Labour-controlled councils to Labour-controlled councils, when he obviously thinks it was so abhorrent that the Tories supposedly did it in the past (which I do not agree we did)?

Even he must realise that not everyone who lives and works in the "Home Counties" are the middle classes, as he would like us to believe. There are hundreds of thousands of people in non-Labour-controlled councils that are working class, just the same as us here in Bolton. It is his Government that seems to have no regard for them or the hardship it is causing by forcing non-Labour-councils to introduce excessive council tax increases because of under-funding by his Labour Government. I am sure that if he told all these people about his "Robin Hood" politics, they would tell him where to get off!

It constantly amazes me how Mr Johnston and his party constantly harp back and blame everyone but themselves for the mess this country is currently in. The facts are, Bolton's Labour council have been in power for over 23 years and this Labour Government for the past six years, and nothing seems to be improving, despite all the hot air and promises from New Labour.

The facts are that public services seem to be getting worse, despite the billions of our pounds that are being poured into them.

So, Mr Johnston, please do not patronise me, because I want to get involved and try and make a difference. We need new blood in politics, irrespective or which party they may represent. Then, just maybe, we might break free from the past and move on and make things better!

Phil Ashcroft

Conservative Candidate Hulton Park Ward