HUGH Richards' letter in the Shuttle/Times and News on July 10 (Do we repeat the Dr Taylor experiment?) asks many questions concerning the advantages or disadvantages of an independent MP representing the constituency.

As he states,, Dr Taylor was elected by the people of Wyre Forest to continue the fight for the return of services, including A&E, which had so disgracefully been taken away by the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital.

On this issue I am sure most constituents will feel that Dr Taylor has performed admirably, fighting for the retention of some services which were due to go, with the prospect of more to come back.

It was also due to Health Concern, which backs Dr Taylor at local level, that the selling of part of the hospital site by Worcestershire NHS Hospitals Trust was blocked. If this had happened, I believe it would have most certainly resulted in the eventual closure of the hospital as a whole.

Another important local issue in which Dr Taylor has been involved is the successful fight to stop the building of an incinerator at Foley Park although, to be fair, it must be said it was the brilliant action of the local residents who must take most of the credit for winning that one.

Other issues which have recently emerged, such as the proposal to extend the airport near Wolverhampton and the question of local school closures, I am sure will be capably handled by our hardworking MP - but remember he needs people power to help him.

So whatever the advantages or disadvantages of having an independent MP, Dr Richard Taylor has certainly handled his first two years in Westminster well.

A NORTH

Windsor Drive, Stourport