SIR: I was somewhat surprised to read that I had been taken to task by Cllr Barbara Ronson ('Politicians with integrity' BEN October 19) over an article that firstly appeared in the October issue of Bolton Parish Church magazine, a part of which was reproduced in the BEN on October 3.

Cllr Ronson responded to the BEN headline 'Beware politicians, Vicar warns', and she moves on to criticise me for 'lumping people together' unfairly. Sadly, Cllr Ronson did not do her homework before writing to the press, for if she had taken the trouble to read the original article she would have noted that my comments were set within the context of the Party Political Conferences, the regrettable 'glitzy American style' staging, the lamentable way in which personalities rather than policies prevailed, and the unfortunate recent cases in which politicians with integrity have been stifled from speaking the truth.

As a clergyman who, unlike Mrs Ronson's stereotype, 'is very much in touch with the real world', I did warn against personality cults, and urged discernment, which is not easy in a media-led run up to the General Election.

I am all too aware of the tremendous work that many of our councillors do on our behalf and my comments were in no way a reflection on the local scene as Cllr Ronson will see from the full text of the article which she will be able to read from the complimentary copy I have sent to her.

I commend the councillor for using the opportunity to speak on behalf of local councillors, but would hope that, as a prospective parliamentary candidate, Cllr Ronson will, in future check the facts behind the headlines, the reality may be something different!

Canon Alan Wolstencroft

Vicar of Bolton, Churchgate, Bolton

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