MARY Ashlee (Letters Page, March 22), like many a Labour sympathiser, seeks to spare her party's blushes by rewriting history.

She well knows that, with the Conservatives, £42 million was invested in Kidderminster Hospital.

Under hard Labour, it has been downgraded after three years.

In addition, let us not forget that is has been Conservative MPs who have kept this issue alive in the House of Commons, much to the chagrin of Labour.

But I choose to look to the future and the 2001 General Election,.

I firmly believe that my party offers a clear, robust policy on health and represents the only realistic alternative.

Wyre Forest Conservatives have opposed the downgrading from the outset and continue to campaign for accident and emergency services at Kidderminster.

Our shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox has pledged that a Conservative Government would implement a full-scale review of health services.

It would be independent, conducted by an external body and would put the health changes to the test - something which Worcestershire Health Authority and the Labour Party are not minded to do.

We recently published a common statement signed by all five neighbouring Conservative MPs and five Conservative PPCs, expressing concern at the downgrading, welcoming the pledge of an independent health review, and supporting our campaign as a local party to make the case for accident and emergency services at Kidderminster.

That represents a powerful regional voice in Parliament which a single, isolated MP could not match.

The Conservatives, the mainstream, active opposition to this indifferent Labour Government, are best placed to deliver an alternative, which may go some way to explain Mary Ashlee's vocal criticism.

Given her mention of the Community Health Councils, she may also reflect on the fact that it is this "control freak" Labour Government which is poised to abolish the CHCs - the patients' independent health watchdog.

This latest slap in the face for openness in healthcare is also vigorously opposed by my party.

MARK SIMPSON

Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate,

Wyre Forest