THE arrogance of these market traders, who have suddenly decided that they want to run the council, has to be seen to be believed.

Perhaps they could tell us what is their policy on schools, or care of the elderly. How many extra pre-school places can we expect under a council led by a greengrocer? What about the future of Bury's council housing? Where does the market traders' party stand on all this?

The fact is, because a few traders don't want their stalls to move 50 yards to the left, they are prepared to put at risk £150 million of new investment in Bury town centre.

Everyone who wants to see a department store in Bury, a new cinema, extra shops and cafes, and more flats in the town centre, needs to tell this "gang of seven" exactly what they think of their tiny-minded antics.

If it is a choice between seven jobs on market stalls or 2,000 jobs for construction workers, I know where my vote goes.

SCHOBER