SO, the best Councillor John Byrne can muster against me is to make fun of my unusual and foreign-sounding name (Your Letters, May 27). I did not think that members of New Labour could sink any lower but this xenophobic slur proves how wrong I can be.

No wonder the extreme right is on the up when senior politicians stoop to petty playground name-calling. He does this, of course, to conceal the fact that does not have an answer to my main concern that a large majority of the population in this country did not take part in the recent local elections.

Coun Byrne tells us that all three political parties supported the closure of Claremont Elderly People's Home and the re-location of its residents. The district auditor also approved the measure.

I do not doubt what Coun Byrne says. However, the people of Prestwich did not agree to the closure, nor did the residents or their relatives. Of course, in the rarefied and secluded world that people like Coun Byrne inhabit, they can safely ignore small groups of disaffected voters because he knows that he has his core voters to maintain him in office. Or does he?

If the recent election has shown us anything it has shown that people are increasingly turning from the old three parties and looking for something new. Across the country there have been Independents, Greens and, unfortunately, National Front candidates elected to councils. This is largely, I believe, due to the "ya-boo" politics of people like Coun Byrne at both a local and national level.

Perhaps on reflection, Coun Byrne would like to apologise to the electorate of Prestwich for ignoring them. Will he apologise to the elderly from Claremont EPH, and to every elderly person in this area who now wonders where they might be sent if they are unable to look after themselves?

Will he also offer an apology to all the young people who have so few facilities in Prestwich? Let us not forget the people who are unable to use areas of Philips Park, while he and his colleagues argue with the police over who is responsible for policing the bikers who have taken it over. Members of the public who can no longer enjoy the beautiful parks and gardens should also receive an apology, and there are many other individuals and groups who deserve an apology from him.

I turn his words back to him and suggest that it is he, and not I, who should show a little humility and some respect for the electorate of Prestwich. I am sure we will wait a long time for that, but when he feels ready to eat some humble pie, I will be happy to sit alongside him and chomp on my hat.

GERARD M. VAN HECKE,

Willow Road, Prestwich.