THE Co-operative Party, the political wing of the retail and trading chain, has always been affiliated to the Labour Party. Annual affiliation fees are paid and donations are given. It can supply up to a total of 26 Labour MPs called `Labour-Co-Op' like Edmonton's Andy Love.

It is interesting then that this year the Labour Conference is sponsored by rival supermarket chain Somerfield. Delegates' name tags, worn around their neck on a ribbon, also bear the Somerfield name.

Could it be, like the Bernie Ecclestone of Formula One racing who donated £1m to Labour that Somerfield is seeking commercial advantage? Surely not! After all when Blair was accused of "favours for cash" when he later changed Labour's policy over tobacco advertising at Formula One race meetings he reacted with fury.

"You know me," he expostulated on BBC TV, "I would never do that, not ever -- I'm a straight guy."

But we are not all so easily duped.

DENN

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