FELLOW ward resident Martin MacDonald accused me of "political opportunism" (Letters, April 27) because I promised that Conservatives would restore the weekly refuse collection if we were elected in June.

So when we say we will review the NCP contract and the car parking system if elected I suppose that is "opportunism". If we criticise the massive spending on street furniture and speed humps in Silver Street and Market Street, it is "opportunism". If we criticise the closure of our popular adult education centre, it is "opportunism". If we criticise the demolition of the recently-modernised market, it is more "opportunism". It is not "opportunism", it is democracy at work.

Labour are using the fortnightly collection to "force" people to recycle; we would hope to ask, persuade or encourage residents to co-operate in an improved recycling scheme.

As for Councillor Cassidy's letter accusing me of threatening to cut jobs, I suggest she read recent Coun Trevor Holt's letter, in which he boasts that Bury has fewer employees than two years ago. It seems councillors Cassidy and Holt are not communicating on personnel matters.

COUNCILLOR ROY-E WALKER,

Conservative Leader.