LOCAL Liberal Democrats are pleased to be fielding candidates in every ward of the town. We have chosen people from a wide range of ages, and backgrounds, and seven out of the 20 are women.

Labour leaflets claim that voting Liberal Democrat is a wasted vote, and they emphasise Labour's massive majority. What are they frightened of? What do they want? A one-party state of the type the Prime Minister is trying to avoid?

Too big a majority, and too long in power can weaken a party and many people think that the cracks are beginning to show in Bolton's Labour dominated council.

Bolton Liberal Democrats have the same number of Councillors as the Tories, and have led the opposition on committees. We have learned a great deal - about co-operation when we agree and about constructive opposition when we don't agree. A strong Liberal Democrat presence is good for our town.

We have considered the issues which affect the future of Bolton and its outlying centres and have presented the council with a list of positive ideas, which we believe will make a contribution to the whole area.

These include:

preserving and strengthening the Green Belt and including new areas, particularly around Westhoughton and Kearsley

keeping urban open space, including playing fields and recreation grounds;

promoting recycling and ensuring that Red Moss will not be destroyed by tipping;

redeveloping semi-derelict industrial sites

looking at our older school buildings, with a view to improving or replacing them;

promoting and improving all the local town and district centres, not just Bolton.

Liberal Democrats are sending a clear message to the town - if you want to put right all the years of Conservative neglect, if you feel that Labour isn't doing enough, then vote Liberal Democrat. Liberal Democrats can be relied on to work for you at local level, to listen to your views, and to make sure things get done.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.