I WAS disappointed to see that the bulb planting event to thank the staff of the Alexandra Hospital was hijacked by various local politicians for a photo opportunity.

When I expressed my dissatisfaction on the Save the Alex Facebook page, my comments and those of many others who joined in the debate were deleted.

Furthermore, we were barred from making any other comments.

This was eventually lifted after much protest.

Three points arise from this for me: The Save the Alex group claim they are non political, yet they are run by a local Labour group and invited our local Conservative MP to the event, with the knowledge that this campaign is fighting cuts made by the Government of which she is a representative.

Why did the group delete the comments from the page and then bar us from making any more? How is it that this group has meetings behind closed doors and only invite the public to take part when it suits their agenda?

It is with this behaviour in mind that I propose we have a public meeting to democratically vote for a committee to represent us in this campaign, with its remit to be decided by the people of Redditch.

If then the result is that the present Save the Alex group continue to represent us, then so be it.

I call upon the present committee to call this meeting and I immediately exclude myself from being a part of any new committee that is decided on, due to the nature of the part I have played in this debate.

MARK COPESTAKE Matchborough East