I READ with interest the letter sent in by our Right wing Tory candidate, James Stevens, about Labour's so called "failure list". While attending one of Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly's surgeries in Horwich last month, she handed to me a document that she had prepared, which specifically outlined the impact Labour has had on Bolton. These included school classes under 30, a new eye unit at Royal Bolton Hospital, an extended A&E department, more intensive care beds and lower mortgage rates for homeowners.

Reading the material, it made me realise how difficult it is for local Tories to persuade voters that things have not changed for the better and that, after 18 years of failed attempts to improve our public services, they could do better (forgetting the fact that they will cut public services by £16 billion.)

I am sure that if James Stevens, or anyone else for that matter, wishes to read a copy of Ruth Kelly's document, she would be more than happy to let them have a copy. He may well sing a different tune then.

Dave Critchley

Claypool Road, Horwich.