June 26.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Anne Heseltine at this time.
I agree with Sir Norman Fowler's comment: ''To issue a baseless
personal attack against a man within 48 hours of his suffering a heart
attack is offensive and disgraceful.''
Indeed, such callous behaviour was directed at my husband, Bill
Hodgson, the Conservative and Unionist PPC for Argyll and Bute, prior to
the last General Election. The callous offenders came, however, from the
Conservative Party.
Following his heart attack, and 72 hours before his by-pass operation,
pressure from a senior Conservative Party office-bearer induced such
high levels of stress that it was necessary for our GP to place Bill in
hospital for his own protection until he flew to Glasgow for his
operation. Our GP, who was appalled, remonstrated in the strongest
possible terms with Central Office, Edinburgh about the treatment.
The pressure continued following his by-pass operation (including the
announcement, via television, of his deselection ''due to his health'')
three days after major surgery and during his convalescence. There was
no consideration, no peace and quiet afforded to Bill Hodgson, who was
in no position to defend himself.
Questions should be asked about the behaviour of the Conservative
Party at this time. In particular, a question surrounds the
constitutional issue of a petition, signed by more than 200 Argyll and
Bute Conservative Association members, calling for an extraordinary
general meeting -- a constitutional request that was totally
disregarded. The disregard for constitutional matters, whether local or
national, is of great concern.
In conclusion, my wish for Anne Heseltine is that her husband is
afforded consideration, peace, and quiet in order that he may return to
good health.
Eelan Hodgson,
Eagle Park,
Low Askomil,
Campbeltown.
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