Your correspondent Patrick Horgan (Chronicle, October 9), as other Labour supporters before him, writes to make personal points about Mary Macleod, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brentford & Isleworth constituency, rather than discuss the real issues of policy that concern local people.

However, as Mary's campaign manager, I need to respond.

Mr Horgan says the current MP lives in the constituency. It's not a view universally shared by her neighbours. I was recently canvassing in the area and lost track of the number of people who said they hadn't seen her for months and as far as they're aware she lives in Waterloo.

At the moment Mary doesn't live in the constituency, but neither does she pretend to. She lived in the constituency for many years - it was one of the reasons we selected her - so she knows it very well. Mary is also actively looking to move back and put her property on the market over a year ago. However, like many under this failing government, she's been credit crunched.

It's no secret that Mary has stood for Parliament before. What's wrong with that? It shows a fighting spirit and a determination to win - yet more reasons we selected her.

Mr Horgan is quite wrong to say Conservatives are "plotting to submerge large parts of Gunnersbury Park under concrete." He should read the latest press release from Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of the council, which rectifies the Labour myths on this.

Let me assure everyone that Mary's commitment to the constituency is total. Over the past 18 months she has walked every road in the constituency at least once, knocked on thousands of doors, attended countless events, held street surgeries. In short, she has put her opponents to shame.

The real reason for Labour pettiness is because they're terrified. They should be.

BARBARA REID Deputy chairman, Brentford and Isleworth Conservative Association.