I AM amazed that the Tories are once again electioneering on the slogan - "vote blue, go green."

The key statistic I always think of when it comes to recycling is that under the last Tory government, which ran from 1979 to 1997, the recycling rate was just seven per cent when they left power.

So, in 18 years, they raised the level of recycling to a mighty seven per cent.

Under Labour from 1997 to today, that rate has increased from seven per cent to more than 30 per cent, and it's still rising. Obviously this is still way too low - but it is better than the paltry efforts of the Tories.

Tory leader David Cameron was a member of the last Conservative government.

So it strikes me that rather than bragging about going green, he should hang his head in shame at their record on recycling.

I wonder if he was banging on about recycling when he was an adviser and the Tories were in power?

Far from setting a good example, we are showered with shallow public relations exercises.

Maybe he believes that if he says he cares about the environment enough times, we will actually start to be convinced?

It is certainly not environmentally friendly to fly first class to Alaska to hug huskies and watch the glaciers melt.

It is also certainly not green to cycle to work while being followed by your limousine carrying your shoes and your briefcase.

It is an insult to the people who really care about the environment, like those who have been recycling well before Cameron was the Tory leader and those who have always gone on their bikes to work.

Just because they have now got a piece of broccoli as their motif does not mean they have become caring all of a sudden.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Executive member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer Bolton Council