I'VE read with interest comments about me in various local papers.

When I was offered the chance to go to Australia for three months I consulted Wigan Council who said that I would be OK as I had until May before I needed to make a decision on my future.

When that time came I wrote to the Council to advise them that I would be resigning from the Council and backed this up with an e-mail to David Smith, the finance and IT director. So in my opinion I have done nothing wrong.

For several years I helped a lot of people in my local community and enjoyed doing it, all the while taking stick from the Labour party who couldn't stand to see an outsider doing things that they should have done and never did.

Why have I decided to move my family away from England, a country which I defended as a soldier and love dearly?

Where do I start?

This Labour government is intent on taking as much cash in taxes from hard working people who deserve better than they are getting, and to pay for what?

A country that is on its knees. Crime is up, immigration a joke, and yet the Labour party say the country is better than ever.

I moved my family to get away from the threat of terrorism, something that Labour does nothing about. The party is spineless and always will be.

I would like to thank the people of Tyldesley for supporting me over the past years; a lot are my friends as this is where I grew up.

Neil Hogg, Tyldesley.