BENEVOLENT politician Lawrence Cunliffe is spending his bumper pay rise on a bid to boost Leigh Infirmary services.

Leigh MP Mr Cunliffe has pledged to use his extra £9,000 a year to back the campaign to reintroduce full accident and emergency facilities at the town's hospital.

He said:"Failing that I'll support improvements to the 'first aid centre' at Leigh and also intend supporting local charities which are a great value to the area."

Answering Leigh Conservative Association's criticism of his vote for the MP's 26 per cent pay increase Mr Cunliffe said:

"I have never voted for an MP's pay rise before. I always believed MPs should not have to vote on issues that benefit them financially in this direct way. "On this occasion I voted because part of the package was that in future MPs would not have to vote for their own salaries as they will be tied to Civil Service grades.

"This would put a stop to MPs having to fight and argue among themselves and the public about how much MPs are worth. I voted principally on these grounds."

The Tories have condemned Mr Cunliffe's defiance of Labour's leadership in voting against a three per cent rise.

Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Leigh Ed Young attacked Mr Cunliffe's pay stance.

He said:"It's the first time in ages his voting has made the headlines. I guess he had one eye on his pension.

"I've met many people in the constituency who earn less than our MP's pay rise, let alone his full salary."

"There's no doubt most MPs work hard for their constituents, but the timing is grossly insensitive to say the least. I hope he can justify his actions."

Mr Cunliffe answered:"May I remind Mr Young that 120 Conservatives and 12 Liberal Democrats voted against their leaders."

Save Leigh Infirmary Campaign leader Cllr Brian Jarvis said:"Any support, financial or otherwise in the attempt to save hospital accident and emergency services in Leigh is more than welcome, and this decision by our local MP is very welcome indeed.

"Although I haven't heard anything officially from him yet, on behalf of the SLIC campaigners we would like to thank Lawrence for this generous gesture."

See The Journal letters on this topic.

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