GORDON HENDERSON MP

Like many other people I made a few New Year's resolutions, most of which I am sure will wither on the vine by the end of January.

Talking of vines, one of my resolutions was to drink alcohol only at weekends. Now that the General Election campiagn has kicked off in earnest that particular pledge might be more difficult than most to keep!

Another of my resolution relates to our local newspapers. I have decided only to write letters in response to constructive crticism, whether from the public or representatives of my political opponents.

Like many other people I am fed up to the back teeth with politicians who bicker amongst themselves whilst the country is facing huge challenges, including an increasingly bloody war in Afghanistan.

For that reason I will be ignoring a letter in this week's Gazette from our local MP, Derek Wyatt, in which he questioned my integrity. I refuse to be drawn into an exchange of letters that typifies the negative "yah boo" politics of which the public is heartly sick.

Launching highly personalised attacks on the opponents might be how Mr Wyatt and some of his parliamentary colleagues want to act, but I will not be dragged into their cynical game.

I want to be different.