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SO Deborah Dunleavy likes to bandy statistics around to argue that the Tories in fact did well in Bolton at the local elections, "Tory votes mirror national success" (May 8).
Despite missing all their Labour target wards; despite Labour gaining a seat from them, and despite Labour still being the biggest party - didn't the Tories do well!
Ms Dunleavy tells us that the Tory vote in Bolton North East was higher than in previous years. Yes, that's true Deborah, but as somebody who does not live in Bolton, you could be forgiven for not knowing the recent electoral history of this borough.
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The fact is that Labour actually had a lower share of the vote in Bolton North East in 2004, compared to 2008, yet David Crausby went on to be re-elected just 12 months later in 2005.
In addition, Labour's share of the vote across the entire borough is also slightly higher than in 2004.
Of course, it wasn't a great night for Labour nationally, and I would be the first to say that Gordon Brown needs to learn some serious lessons from this. But in Bolton, Labour did in fact buck the trend against widespread predictions of electoral wipe-out.
Where was the promised Tory breakthrough? Where was the predicted un-seating of Cllr Cliff Morris, who received a huge majority?
None of it materialised, Ms Dunleavy. It failed to materialise because, despite Labour nationally having difficulties, Labour locally has stood by its record and has presented itself as the best party to govern this borough.
The Tories did the same; the voters judged us and the rest, as they say, is history.
It has been said that a week is a long time in politics, well two years to the next local elections is even longer. So instead of turning up at the count, back slapping and congratulating each other on a magnificent victory, only to be deeply disappointed by the actual results, try putting the arrogance to one side and instead try a large slice of humble pie.
Yes your lies, bullying and con-tricks got you in again! You did it by using tax payers money to buy the result, including 1% council tax, free school meals and free swimming lessons all announced out of the blue just before the election. You did it by making dubious promises like promising to approve mosque planning applications and promising to divert money from wards in the west to those in central areas. You did it by offering to look after voter's children while they went to vote late at night.
Yes Cllr Peel you can be proud to be part of a dishonest and unscrupulous Labour Party.
Yes your lies, bullying and con-tricks got you in again! You did it by using tax payers money to buy the result, including 1% council tax, free school meals and free swimming lessons all announced out of the blue just before the election. You did it by making dubious promises like promising to approve mosque planning applications and promising to divert money from wards in the west to those in central areas. You did it by offering to look after voter's children while they went to vote late at night.
Yes Cllr Peel you can be proud to be part of a dishonest and unscrupulous Labour Party.
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