Councillor Redstone does himself and his political cause no favours in his continuing slanging match concerning the educational accomplishments of modern youth.

Surely all with any interest in education must be aware that “children in mediocre schools ... are failing”.

But this is a nationwide generalisation made by Christine Gilbert.

According to school league tables, the only measure currently available to us, this is not the case in Bury.

This was the point in Graham Howarth’s letter in the November 26th issue, which Cllr Redstone appears to have completely missed. Bury has consistently performed above the national average ever since league tables were introduced in 1992.

Cllr Redstone still needs to apologise locally, even if he is to continue to carry the banner nationally.

Dorothy Bailey Bury