IN the town of Redditch the residents were given the opportunity to express their views re: the proposed reduction of services at the Alexandra Hospital.

Ballot boxes were available in areas frequented by most residents - for example in the supermarkets. This was a simple, inexpensive and fair way of testing local opinion.

In the town of Bromsgrove only people who received the local free newspapers had such an opportunity.

Here we were invited to a heavily politicised meeting organised by the MP and a retinue of local Tory councillors. Not every citizen would want to be present at such a gathering. Some of the activities at this meeting were at best infantile and at worst rabble rousing.

Can we hope that the Bromsgrove MP will now bring herself to support the Redditch MP in the fight for the hospital?

Peter McDonald

Labour Group Leader

Bromsgrove District Council