WELCOME to the Socialist Republic of Hyndburn, but thanks to all the people who voted for our candidates on May 2.

It is just a pity that so many people who said on the doorstep during our canvass that they would support us, sat on their backsides and didn't bother to vote.

Needless to say, it will be those self-same people who will get kicked up the backside if we have a Labour government and they will get their just deserts.

It will not be the Slynns, Dawsons or the Grimes of this world who will suffer.

The electorate of Hyndburn gave Labour leader George Slynn the mandate to carry on his dictatorial ways and he will. There is very little opposition to him now, especially in his own party.

In Church, we have a situation where the elected representatives have no stomach to fight for the rights of our community. That is why there is little or no investment in our area.

One only has to take a look at Springhill to see what I mean. There is no expense spared in that area. Mind you, with around 10 of their now 44 councillors and two county councillors domiciled there, it is hardly surprising.

MARION RAYNOR, Vice-chairman, Oswaldtwistle and Church Conservative Association, Regent Road, Church, Accrington.

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