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Since the day Shailesh Vara was selected as our prospective parliamentary candidate, Labour activists and councillors have been involved in deliberate slurs, implying that he is "not local". Now we know what they mean by that. Shailesh grew up in Aylesbury on the Northants border, and does in fact live in the constituency.
Sir: As Chairman of Northampton South Conservative Association, I would like to tell your readers that Tony Clarke, the Labour Member of Parliament, however he might try to dig himself out of an embarrassing hole, is quite wrong in accusing many of his constituents of being racist in the way they vote at an election ("Racists will help me keep my seat, says Labour MP", 18 November; letter, 20 November).
Since the day Shailesh Vara was selected as our prospective parliamentary candidate, Labour activists and councillors have been involved in deliberate slurs, implying that he is "not local". Now we know what they mean by that. Shailesh grew up in Aylesbury on the Northants border, and does in fact live in the constituency. He drinks in local pubs and eats in local restaurants, and, like thousands of other people in the town, he works in London, as does our local MP.
The next MP for Northampton South will be elected on mainstream political issues and the candidate's background will be totally irrelevant. Tony Clarke has grossly insulted his constituents and brought shame upon the constituency. No doubt his constituents will bear that in mind when they go to the polling booth at the next election.
Mrs ANN ADDISON
Chairman, Northampton South Conservative Association
Copyright Newspaper Publishing Plc Nov 22, 2000