NOT one of the hundreds of people who attended the town meeting to discuss the proposals to downgrade the Alexandra Hospital will recognise Peter McDonald's description of the meeting as 'politicised, rabble-rousing and infantile.'

In fact, it was well-run and dozens of speakers advanced powerful and constructive arguments against the proposals. I believe that it is this meeting which has made the hospital trust re-consider its plans. But this is only the start of the campaign.

Everyone who is opposed to the proposals should join in demanding a re-negotiation of the agreement under which the privately built Worcestershire Hospital has to pay a rent of £20m each year to the builders. This is the same amount as its annual debt.

This contract is a very bad deal for Worcestershire and all of our local MPs and councillors should join together to force a change.

Neil Holmes

Bromsgrove