KNUTSFORD is once more awash with political intrigue as Tatton Conservatives settle down to haggle over who they will choose for our next MP.

Whispered conversations at cafe tables agonise whether this is the time to ditch their deluded local candidate.

The unfortunate victor of this sorry process will be offered to the electorate on the basis of the judgement of the constituency party - the same party that offered us Neil Hamilton despite overwhelming evidence of his unsuitability.

The same group who gasped in amazement when Sir Gordon Downey delivered the obvious verdict.

We should be protected from such people.

I, for one, would welcome with open arms a second Independent candidate of the calibre of Martin Bell who can deliver Knutsford from its pocket borough status.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.