FOLLOWING publication of my recent letter expressing criticism of the Conservative government's senior members to lecture all about the need to accept below inflation pay rises year on year and cuts in public services, yet do the exact opposite privately and bank plenty of easy cash privately through non jobs like £70,000 public speaking engagements and part time director jobs and book deals, I found a member of the local party wanting strong words with me about my entirely unjustified negative attitude to this unsavoury aspect of Tory mentality.

I needed to understand, I gathered, that the correct way of seeing things was to realise that when Cameron and Osborne and the like lectured the nation on the need to manage on less year on year, whilst having a hunger for the exact opposite in financial terms, they were speaking with two hats. One on behalf of the government they led and then wearing a private hat, they were entitled to act entirely differently. 'Simples' as your average local Meerkat would say!

I summed this risible thinking up as 'do as we say, not as we do.' For those brought up in the Christian tradition, came to mind was Jesus' rant at the double standards of the Pharisees, who I recall riled him so much. Now, no one is suggesting that any Conservative would meet this same low standard to qualify for such a put down, but human nature is nothing but consistent down the centuries and will always be so.

I am happy to consider returning a long serving local Labour MP, who has offered support to me, my family and neighbourhood on various issues, whilst knowing that it will not produce a Labour Government of Corbyn and Abbott.

The problem with Mrs May, is the superficiality of her mindset, relying on limp sound bites trotted out like well-rotted kippers at Fleetwood fish market - 'strong and stable leadership' and 'me and my team' and 'delivering better paying jobs.' Try telling that to the nurses Theresa and why not be brave enough to meet an audience of real voters, not carefully selected Tory faithful.

Cuts to family income, armed forces, policing and pay and services and her wishy washy approach to leaving Europe is hardly confidence building and likely to deliver a fairer society over the next five years and therefore I wish Labour's David Crausby well in the coming vote in Bolton NE.

Simon Pearce

Bromley Cross