So much for all's fair in love and war! What a hoo-hah has errupted in Tottington.

I, in my ignorance and in my eagerness to sign the petition against the new charges for the Robin Hood car park, have now signed for something much more sinister.

This so-called community petition, collecting local support, signatures and e-mail addresses, is apparently being collected by the Labour Party.

How many people will actually read everything, especially the very small print? Irate villagers will sign, like I did immediately due to our anger and frustration of the current situation.

More importantly, how many people will now NOT sign because they do see the Labour Party mentioned? Will the brewery take notice of a demand presented by a political party? If not, then the petition has been devalued by introducing party politics into a non-party political issue.

I feel the petition by the Labour Party is to gain support and votes in the next elections. They, and I assume Jane Lewis,would like to take the glory for trying to saving our car park, when, in effect, she has already said that Bury's Labour Council, not known for supporting free car parking, has had no effect or result in doing so, despite their efforts.

I feel that she is jumping on the bandwagon', to gain the public sympathy vote, at a time when the village spirit is at its lowest ebb.

People must and should sign up for the sake of our shopkeepers, villagers and visitors to the community, but not on a publicity stunt on somebody's individual path for glory.

Chrissie Flood