A PEER who spoke against all-postal elections has been accused of political opportunism by Labour Party chairman Ian McCartney.

Mr McCartney wrote to Lord Tony Greaves to ask him why he spoke against all-postal ballots in the House of Lords without declaring he was to stand for election as a councillor. He said his actions were a cynical attempt to lower turnout.

But Pendle's Lord Greaves today dismissed the letter and labelled Mr McCartney a "silly man".

Mr McCartney wrote: "Had you declared your interest your opposition to all postal ballots could have been judged within its proper context. It is now clear why you have been so vociferous in your opposition to all postal ballots. It is clear that you and your party are engaged in a cynical exercise to lower voter turnout.

"I find it incredible that, as a Liberal Democrat candidate, you are opposing a process that offers the prospect of increasing turnout and public engagement in the elections in which you stand."

Lord Greaves spoke in the House of Lords on several occasions about his opposition. The legislation was eventually pushed through by the Commons, despite an Electoral Commission recommendation that the North West be left out of the all-postal pilot, after it was rejected on five occasions by the upper chamber.

Speaking about Mr McCartney's letter Lord Greaves said: "Ian McCartney should take his views back to his home town. What a silly man.

"Even if I was only considering standing to become a councillor there would no interest to declare. It is irrelevant whether I am a candidate or not.

"The real issue, which the Labour Party does not want to talk about, is that the election is not secure.

"They are frightened to death of being slaughtered at the elections and they have made it quite clear the reason for an all-postal ballot is to try to save their skins."