OOH, the bare-faced cheek of it! The Conservative Party has had the audacity to ask loyal Labour man and Council cash supremo Cllr Brian Strett for a sub!

Lowton Socialist Cllr Strett wears his colours proudly - even down to having the registration number B5 LAB on his car.

So when a begging letter from Tory hot-shot Brian Mawhinney dropped through his Scott Road door, big Brian didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The letter, signed by the Conservative Party chairman, began:

"Dear Mr Strett ....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 goes on to ask for help in covering the cost of printing leaflets to put across the Party message "Life in Britain is better with the Conservatives" ........because...... "unlike Labour we have to rely on donations from individuals. People who, like you, believe a Conservative government is best for Britain.

"Our country and its economy are the envy of Europe and standards in school are rising. True, there is still much to do. But first we must win the General Election. Your donation will go directly towards securing a victory."

But Cllr Strett, chairman of Wigan Council's finance committee, won't be coughing up towards Tory funds.

He told The Journal:"When I read the letter I was shocked and amused.

"Then you start to think and realise they can't have their act together.

"God help us if this is the way people who are running the country act. Apart from me a lot of people will be horrified by this waste of time and effort.

"If they want to chuck their money around in this way, rather than ask for it from me, perhaps they should direct it towards our education service."

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