MAY I answer Haroon Rashid (BEN August 23) and put him right on one or two points, as it appears he has been misinformed by someone.

He said he had visited the grave in Farnworth Park of Thomas Barnes. If my mind serves me right, he is not buried there at all. He then goes on to say that that evening he drove passed the park and the gates were left open. What gates? The same were taken away with all the other gates and railings to help the war effort. He says Farnworth is a forgotten town; the police station opens when it likes. That is due to the cutbacks by the Tories. Crime is no higher here than anywhere else in the country; also, the same with unemployment and housing.

Then he says we need to educate our children to have respect for other people's property. The Tories were responsible for this when they took away corporal punishment in schools. Then he goes on that Brian Iddon MP seldom visits the town. Could I inform him that, here again, he is wrong -- he is never away.

No, Mr Rashid. I am now convinced that the Tory Party is really scraping the barrel when having to bring a candidate from London to stand in Bolton South East, where his prospects are almost nil.

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