CONGRATULATIONS to our local MP Lawrence Cunliffe for voting himself (with help from his 'New' Labour MP colleagues), a massive £9,000 a year rise (26% despite inflation falling to 2.1%). I'm sure he thinks he's worth it, his constituents, however, are more likely to disagree!

Just what does he actually do for his (now) £43,000 a year? (plus £12,000 housing allowance and 20 weeks holiday) - not very much to be truthful!

So why did he do this? - because he thinks whatever he does, his job will still be secure in the future. He can always rely on 'Joe public' not to ask too many awkward questions, hopefully voting him in again as Leigh's MP.

All this after 'New' Labour's recent mock horror at the so called 'fat cats' large salary increases. Like his Trade Union leader friends, Mr Cunliffe has the smell of hypocrisy - it's 'do what I say, not what I do'.

So with a General Election looming, let's vote against this example of 'New Labour - New Greed'!

Chowbenter

(name and address supplied)

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