I WAS astounded to read the comment attributed to Yvonne Hossack in her justification for standing against Ivan Lewis MP in the forthcoming General Election (March 31).

She clearly has done no research into Ivan Lewis's reputation or track record in standing up for the "poor, disabled and vulnerable" here in our local community.

I have known Mr Lewis for 20 years. Before entering Parliament he spent his entire working life in the local voluntary sector, beginning work at the age of 14, supporting children and adults with learning disabilities.

Whilst still a teenager, he set up and developed an innovative voluntary organisation - Contact Community Care Group. His work earned the admiration and affection of many local people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.

Later, he went on to become chief executive of Manchester Jewish Social Services where among many of the services he developed, with others, was a unique drop-in centre for mentally-ill people and a community support service for children with disabilities and their families.

As a young local councillor, he was an outstanding chairman of Bury Social Services, having responsibility for the department at a time when the Tory Government was forcing the council to make millions of pounds worth of cuts.

Since his election to Parliament in 1997, he has been an MP who has always put his constituents first, even since being promoted to the Government four years ago.

Indeed, what has differentiated him from others, in an era where politicians are generally mistrusted, is that he has never changed and never forgotten where his roots are. He has lived in this constituency all his life.

I do not know the rights and wrongs of the council decision with regard to child services. However, as a former social worker I am disgusted by Ms Hossack's apparent opposition to all closures of elderly persons' homes. Some are not fit to provide the high quality care elderly people deserve.

In addition, an increased number of elderly people would like to remain in their own homes. This does not mean that staff working in elderly persons' homes are not committed or uncaring, or that all homes should close.

But it does mean that responsible and caring councils are right to reduce the total number of homes.

Now that she has chosen to enter the political arena, it is right that Ms Hossack should come clean about the lawyers fees she receives from fighting cases against local authorities, unless of course her efforts on behalf of the "vulnerable" are undertaken on an entirely voluntary basis.

We have a right to know.

MARGARET

BRODERICK