TORY Guy Mitchinson (Readers' letters, October 31) has a real cheek to suggest that as Little Parndon cannot be won by the Tories or Liberal Democrats, a Socialist Alliance candidate should be supported.

It is possible that Socialist Alliance and/or Independent candidates may wish to stand, but that is not the decision of the Conservative Party.

He and his party do not stand for anything that the Socialist Alliance is fighting for.

Even during the campaign to prevent the council building in the town park (HOOP), they only jumped on the bandwagon at the last minute we did not see him or his party supporters standing in the rain at the town centre getting petition signatures or delivering leaflets door to door.

Many Socialist Alliance members and supporters did this, as did a considerable number of non-aligned Harlow residents.

HOOP won, without the help of his party.

Having said that, the three candidates who will be standing in the ward next May for New Labour one a long-term Labour loyalist sitting councillor, another an ex-Communist Party member and the other an ex-Liberal councillor did not in any way help with the HOOP campaign.

Neither have they yet commented on how they feel about the actions of Little Parndon residents who are trying to prevent housing estates being built on green land at the Sportcentre and Rugby Club.

Perhaps they are keeping quiet because they do not want to upset party bosses by supporting the residents' campaigns, or their potential electorate if they are in favour of these developments.

What sort of choice is this for the electors in Little Parndon?

DAVE LAMBERT,

Morley Grove,

Harlow

November 6, 2001 18:01