I ONCE more wish to disassociate myself with the disgraceful sham being perpetuated by Mr Britcliffe, his Conservative and Labour Party colleagues, under the guise of a "referendum" over the sale of public land in Great Harwood.

Mr Britcliffe's total disregard for democracy and his manipulation of the council to effect an unbalanced decision made months earlier with his council cronies, shows a deviousness, cunning and shallowness unworthy of the Conservative Party.

Instead of effecting the wise judgment of referring the final planning decision to a truly independent department of the environment inspector, he has taken it upon himself to undertake a pre-scripted ego trip ending up with a pompous, personal announcement to be made on the steps of Mercer Hall Baths on Armistice Day. How shallow, weak and disrespectful is the man whose ego is so large and sensitivities so dull that he attempts to steal away the emotion of remembrance on Armistice Day. I hope the public will show their distaste by boycotting this contemptible event.

PHILIP CONGDON, former Referendum Party Parliamentary Candidate and ex-regular serviceman, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

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