IS it not time to wake up? The coalition policy of austerity is beginning to pass us by without our involvement.

Surely when we realise the cuts are set to continue we must wonder exactly where they are going to fall.

The predicted magnitude of cuts will undoubtedly mean that front line services in health and social services will be involved.

They say the changes to the NHS will mean better performance, four or five hospitals that have specialist services will be the only ones allowed to perform surgery.

A scenario where someone from Bolton including Horwich could have to be taken by ambulance to Stepping Hill, Stockport for life saving surgery plus the high population in central areas of Manchester could result in few or even no beds for patients from outlying areas.

I was recently taken to hospital after I fainted. Ambulance staff recorded a heart rate so slow that they believed it was necessary for me to be admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital. I had a similar occurrence five months before and it was decided I should be fitted with a pacemaker. This was Wednesday and I was to be discharged on the Friday to await the procedure. The doctor intervened and said if I stayed in over the weekend the procedure could take place on the following Monday.

This duly occurred and I am relieved I received the sort of attention we are all due. However, I fear this is at risk with the threat of the continuing cuts.

It appears a Labour administration is allowing, slavishly in my view ,services to be run down with virtually no resistance whatsoever.

With these experienced union negotiators out of the equation they are actually in the vanguard of introducing unpleasant right wing policies that can only increase.

Come on Bolton step up to the plate and return democracy to Horwich, Blackrod, Westhoughton and Farnworth as well a other outlying districts.

I live in Horwich and am proud to do so as is my wife who hails from County Mayo in Eire and is clearly proud to be Irish but we both have enjoyed being Boltonians also since1974. Mike Greenhalgh Shaftsbury Avenue Bolton