IF I may be permitted to reply to Robin King. Firstly, the issue of Bridley Moor High School was mentioned by me and several others as a failure of apparent local democracy.

I am well aware Redditch Council is not responsible for education per se but aren't many Redditch Councillors also school governors and county councillors?

Are they not supposed to democratically represent local people in these various roles?

Mr King has conveniently forgotten the farce of the London Mayoral election, where every avenue was explored to ensure the "desired" candidate succeeded before the election took place.

Despite the intense odds, democracy actually succeeded.

Secondly, in answer to his question 'Do we have a decline in democratic involvement?' Then the answer is most definitely 'yes' as the closure of Bridley Moor has aptly demonstrated.

For Mr King to hide behind the question of who and avoid answering the question why is a clear indication as to why people are rapidly losing faith in local democracy.

Jim Waugh

Fairford Close

Church Hill North