BLACKBURN and Darwen Liberal Democratic Party thank all those who voted for us in the recent local elections.

Neither Labour nor the Conservative Party can take any comfort in a 30 per cent turn-out and it begs the question: 'Why?' Has the Punch and Judy show that passes for local politics created this soporific effect?

I ask people to look around the town - at the empty council houses, derelict tower blocks, filthy streets badly in need of repair and the drug-infested estates.

During our campaign, I was touched by examples of many people who were doing things in an attempt to make conditions better in their own areas.

The present Labour junta usually reply that the situation is the result of 20 years of Tory rule. But, wait a minute, who has been in power in Blackburn since the war? In my own home I only spend what I can afford, but that fiscal immaturiity may preclude me from being a local councillor because, as a local Labour councillor, if I haven't got it, I put up the council tax at a time when, as a result of national employment policies, many people are finding it difficult to find work.

This Labour government is about to attack one of the weakest sections of society - the disabled. Their allowances are to be subject to means testing.

They have consistently financially attacked senior citizens since coming to power. People who have prudently saved for their 'sunshine' years now find themselves having to curtail their carefully-laid plans as a result of the raids on their savings and pensions.

These are people who, in many cases, fought the last war or endured the lean living conditions of the years of rationing so that we, their children, could enjoy a better standard of life.

People of Blackburn, you deserve better. Think for yourself - you can influence local conditions. Vote for change. For those of you who didn't vote, wait for your next council tax bill.

D D'ARCY (Secretary, Blackburn and Darwen Liberal Democrats), Haslingden Old Road, Knuzden, Blackburn.

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