I AM writing in response to Councillor Byrne's letter (november 5). I can not believe the arrogance of this man.

If anyone criticises the council he seems to want to aunch a personal attack on them. Can the man not accept the truth?

Correspondent Jim Eagle was exercising his right by thanking people for supporting the market traders in their battle to presrve it on its present site, yet he was subjected to an attack from the leader of the council.

Also I found Coun Byrne's insinuation that the petition's 50,000 signatures were suspect to be an insult to the good people of Bury who had signed it. A 'uarter of a million people a week are reputed to visit the market, therefore 50,000 signatures is 'uite a modest total.

He then went on to point out to Mr Eagle that the people of Bury had given his party 'Labour 'a mandate at the June election, as if to say this gave the council justification to want to move the market.

May I point out to Coun Byrne that the people of Bury didn't give him or his party a mandate. Not only did the Labour Party not win the popular vote ie more than than 50 per cent), they polled fewer votes in total than the Conservatives, thus making them the second largest party on votes cast. Hardly a mandate from the people.

I read once that Coun Byrne is a former school teacher. I don't know what he taught but it probably wasn't mathematics.

LOCAL VOTER