AS you are probably aware, Tony Blair's Government intend to abolish your local Community Health Council, which has serviced local health needs so admirably over the years. This was done without any prior consultation, and, with little, if any, justification.

The Conservative Party has pledged to fight for the independent, local voice of patients championed by CHC's. The Government's plans to abolish CHC's are rooted in Labour's own arrogance, self interest and hatred of criticism from any quarter whatever.

If we get to the General Election before CHC's are abolished, the Conservative Party will retain the current structure. If Labour have already abolished CHC's, we will reinstate a means by which patients can have a truly independent voice, beyond the control of the NHS bureaucracy and Whitehall politicians.

The Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, said the issue was the subject of a consultation, yet the decision to abolish CHC's has already clearly been taken.

Tony Blair's idea of a consultation seems to be limited to asking the condemned man his method of execution. This is a challenge to our own willingness to confront the bureaucrats and politicians, and to put patients' interests first.

I hope you will support us in this fight,

Dr. Liam Fox MP

Shadow Secretary of State

for Health,

House of Commons.