There are times when an abstention is valid. We think particularly of members of political parties who are told to toe the party line but who are personally opposed.

They abstain because they feel they cannot support the issue but cannot vote against their party.

But the multiple abstentions among opposition councillors over the swimming pool issue at Worcester City Council are difficult for us to understand.

We’ve been critical of the Conservative majority for selling us an exciting new swimming pool that suddenly, when in power, doesn’t seem affordable.

But at least they are sticking to their guns and pressing ahead with the plans for a pool.

What the opposition members are doing we leave you to judge.

It seems pretty simple to us – if you are in favour of a swimming pool, vote yes, if you think it’s too financially dodgy, vote no.

Don’t sit on your hands thinking, if it goes well then we can’t be criticised for opposing it, if it all goes wrong then we can blame someone else.

If you are not going to vote, why bother to turn up?