Peter, contrary to the subtle suggestions you make, I am not a spokesperson for the Manchester Withington Labour Party, any comments that I make are from a personal viewpoint, therefore to suggest that what I say reflects on the party image is wrong. You talk about all the 'hard work' John Leech has put in as a councillor as though it is something to be reveered. That isnot why the people of Manchester Withingon voted for him! They voted for him as a 'punishment' vote against Labour. They were not happy about the Iraq situation or university top up fees as Thomas quite rightly points out. I have been told of the multitude of emails and letters sent to Mr Bradley in the weeks following the election from people who had voted Lib Dem; apologising because they hadn't meant for Mr Bradley to lose the seat. What they had intended to do was send a message to the Prime Minister, unfortunately that message turned out to be more severe than theyhad intended. Furthermore, Leech's materials that refered to Keith as 'Tony Blair's Labour Man' and suggested that Keih had been in favour of the war also turned votes against him. I spoke to several people during the campaign who were genuinely suprised to hear that Keith had voted against the declaration of war!! They had believed the rumours spread by the Lib Dems! On one last note Peter, lets get real, I am a member and supporter of the Labour Party, I fully supported Keith Bradley; I'm hardly going to be singing the praises of John Leech am I? 'Devil Incarnate'however; I feel is too far fetched a comparison!

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