YOUR last week's edition carried what I can only assume to be Graham Lingings' letter of resignation from the Hindsford Ward Liberal Party.

I am sure he sees himself as a man of integrity and indeed such he may be, but he should realise that not all in his party share his code of behaviour. How can he stay ? But perhaps they don't tell him what they get up to!

As a declared Liberal he cannot "separate himself" from local politics, as he apparently wishes.

How does he think he and his fellow Liberal got themselves elected? In May 1999, the Liberal Party produced an election leaflet alleging a local (Labour) Councillor had fiddled a Council house tenancy for a family member. The successful Liberal later had to apologise for this action, but the damage was done.

In the December by-election the Liberals had learned their lesson. They printed nothing so obviously false, but a rumour about the dishonesty of the Labour candidate was traced to a house ablaze with "Vote Liberal" posters, whose occupant challenged Labour to sue, claiming that since he had nothing it would be a waste of time. And Graham was elected! At this election, the Labour Candidate Mark Aldred has received a letter from an honest Liberal deploring a proposed smear campaign by the Liberals. So far, there has been a demand for an audit inquiry at a Community Centre where Mark just happens to be Chairman, alleging misappropriation of funds. "The Journal" quite properly ran the story, and the follow up that no personal fraud had been found - but again, an attempt was made to smear a Labour candidate as the "honest Liberal" forecast.

"Touch pitch and you will be defiled". Lingings stands as a Liberal, and he stands to benefit from the smear campaign if it is successful. What is more, he is perfectly happy to benefit from that well-known Liberal standby, claiming the credit for other people's efforts. We could fill this paper, but here's just one example: Upton Road, Atherton: double parking. There's his picture in an election leaflet claiming his "action" is now resolving the problem. Come off it, Graham! As a councillor, he should know that additional "no-waiting" restrictions have been going through the legal processes since first reported last year -by Labour. And I'm told he was not at a recent local meeting to discuss longer term solutions. Mark Aldred was. So what has he, personally, actually done, about this and many other things for which Liberals claim the

credit?

Graham Lingings letter was interesting, but as always, actions speak louder than words.

CHARLES HOPKINSON

Atherton