Mr. J. H. Leigh of Hunt Street, Atherton writes:

I BELIEVE in fair play so I really must reply to the article in the Journal headed "Brian's £20 Blast."

In June of last year year I received a personal letter from Tony Blair stating that people like me who are absolutely fed up with the Conservative Government would be willing to help Labour win the General Election next year. To this end would I complete the questionnaire and send a donation of £15 to help the Labour cause, S.A.E. enclosed for a reply.

Three days later a Mr. Ambler of Fareham, Hampshire, wrote in The Times that his daughter aged 11 had received a similar personal letter from Tony Blair. She was a member of a Pony Club who subscribed to a pony magazine aimed at the "younger adult". New Labour were casting it's net wide to attract new voters.

I have NEVER been a Labour supporter and in my reply I told him so and that many of his statements were most economical with the truth. He ignores the fact that as people get annual rises in their wages or salaries they will pay more tax but their take home pay will increase and with low inflation and the lowest mortgage rate for many years, people are better off.

This year I received a 3.9% increase in the State pension, a 5% rise in my company pension, a 50p a week rise to cover VAT on fuel. I am quite happy with the present administration - why change to an inexperienced set of ministers and the record of the Labour Party last time they had power.

Regarding Tony Blair's reference to value for money by Labour controlled Local Government I mentioned my own Metro - a rise in council tax of 13% with the prospect of 7/8% rise in 1997/98 with no improvement in services.

No doubt Cllr Strett will write to HQ and address the last three paragraphs of his comments to them. He could ask Lawence Cunliffe for a copy of Tony Blair's letter and questionnaire and the source of the mailing list.

I have retained Tony Blair's letter. Should they be returned in the General Election, it will be interesting to see how many promises they keep.

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