Three cheers for Labour Councillor Pat Karney, from Harpurhey, Manchester, who is fighting against the council decision to close Harpurhey market.

The point here is when interviewed on local radio, he said "it is my job to represent the people of Harpurhey" the people he was elected to represent.

He went on to say he would have no hesitation fighting against his own council to save the market, 1,500 had already signed a petition. He cited reasons for saving the market — it is a vital hub for the community, well used and that local markets need to be protected.

I am sure the public of Farnworth would agree with these sentiments.

Even though he sits on Manchester City Council, lessons to be learned here are, it is refreshing to see a local Labour councillor going against the rest of his council, even in the face of government cutbacks, and it would be good to see this kind of attitude taken by Bolton Labour councillors, fighting to defend their local communities and not merely accepting their local party line and allowing themselves to be led into observing the whip system every time.

Alan Johnson,

Bolton Green Party