‘If it’s such good news what is it that you have to keep secret?’

UNBELIEVABLE is the word which came to mind upon reading Karen Bradley’s recent interview in the Post & Times.

She informs us of yet another “positive and constructive” meeting she attended, along with District Council Leader Sybil Ralphs, with various agencies concerning the future of Leek Moorlands Hospital.

However, she fails to inform us of any detail from this meeting, expecting us to trust that the meeting was “positive and constructive”.

If this is the case Karen, why not reveal the outcome from this meeting? Exactly what is so secret if we are to receive such good news?

Maybe you are afraid to reveal the true nature of these meetings as it may not be to the liking of the local electorate, who will not forget your ‘categoric assurance’ prior to the last general election that the hospital would not close.

Furthermore, our MP goes on to say that the ‘consultation will take place at the end of the year’ and urges we all work together in a ‘nonpolitical manner.’

I believe the people of Leek and Moorlands have already delivered their decision on the consultation loud and clear, which is that the hospital remains open with all services returned including the bedded units.

So there is no need for Marcus Warnes and the CCG to prevaricate any more – we want our hospital back, fully-resourced.

With regard to working together in a “non-political manner”, I find this somewhat rich coming from a member of the Tory Cabinet which has delivered a politically-motivated programme of austerity and privatisation of public services.

These political decisions have severely damaged the health and wellbeing of our community, resulting not only in a threat to the future of our hospital, but the removal of many vital public services, such as cuts to local policing, fire service,

road maintenance, education, and school crossing patrols.

So Karen, you can expect some opposition to the damaging effects of your government’s policies. Steven Proffitt Leek