TORY CANDIDATE IN STORM OVER 'SAVE OUR NHS' RALLY' SPEECH

11.06.07pm GMT Mon 12th Mar 2007

Richard Burt, who organised last Saturday's 'Save our Health Service' march and rally hailed the event a great success, but said that Conservatives had spoiled the event by displaying Conservative election posters with felt tipped slogans including one that said "Conservatives - the only vote."

Mr Burt, who is the Liberal Democrat's Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, had stressed the event was a cross-party, community protest and had attracted Independent MP, Dr Richard Taylor, Worcester GP, Dr John O'Driscoll ad Malvern Town Councillor Pat Merrick to speak.

But when he was asked to invite his opposite number, Conservative Party Candidate Harriett Baldwin to speak, she was shouted down for making a party political statement. She pressed ahead without changing tack and eventually members of the public threw down their placards in disgust and stormed away from the rally.

"I don't think Harriett did herself or her Party any favours," said Richard Burt. "She completely misread the mood of the rally and appeared unable or unwilling to change tack.

"It's a shame, because it brought a sour note to the end of a very harmonious protest and a very successful day."