WHAT'S the matter with the women of the Leigh area? Where is their fighting spirit?

Election day has come round again and they're again leaving it all to the men.

There's a noticable dirth of Labour women. Only one female independent Labour candidate is standing, that in Hindley ward.

Two Conservatives are aiming to snatch seats in Abram and Hindsford, but it's green power leading the way for the girls.

They have put up four candidates, three facing an optimistic battle to unseat high ranking councillors on this side of the borough.

Wigan Council could do with more members of the fair sex. Out of 72 councillors only 15 are female.

Three represent Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley. I only know Sue Loudon in Atherton, but if there were more like her we wouldn't go far wrong.

Perhaps the women get pushed out at party meetings, maybe they feel they are not needed on such a staunch Labour council, or conceivably it's just that they can't afford the time needed to dedicate to council business.

I can't say I blame them! Politics is not one of my great interests.

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