DAVE Watts couldn't resist a wry smile when a 'begging letter' dropped through his letterbox. For the plea, asking St Helens Council's Labour leader for a £20 donation, was from none other than Dr Brian Mawhinney - chairman of the Conservative Party!

In the formulated, typewritten letter, Dr Mawhinney urges: "You can provide us with an essential part of the Conservative election machine. A £20 donation goes straight towards communicating to 4,000 people."

The letter then went on to list the 'successes' of Conservative economic policies which it warned would be at risk under Labour. And it ended by pleading: "We need your help to ensure that we win the next General Election. A donation will go directly towards securing a victory."

Not suprisingly though, despite Dr Mawhinney's emotive pleas, Councillor Watts has no intention of changing his political colours.

And he has penned a forthright response to the True Blue party chief which reads as follows : "I was surprised to read your claim that you are solely dependent on the income created by such letters as I previously believed that you enjoyed the support of Fat Cats in the city.

"However, I am glad that you wrote to me as I had intended to request a donation of £1,200 from the Conservative Party for the 22 Tory tax rises that I have been obliged to pay. If I am successful in my request I will suggest that the entire population of St Helens write to you personally seeking similar arrangements."

And Councillor Watts' reply concluded: "As a lifelong Labour Party member and a Labour elected representative, it heartens me to see that your campaigning machine is obviously as efficient and as effective as your Government. Rest assured that I intend to inform all the electors in the constituency of your effectiveness and please keep up the good work."

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