COUNCILLOR Audrey Steel made dodgy claims about my involvement in supporting the development of a medical centre and additional parking for Inkberrow First School (Letters, May 12).

She said I used a recent leaflet to "jump on the bandwagon" of changes in Inkberrow. Let me set the record straight.

In February, I wrote to people in Inkberrow pointing out Wychavon District Council had contacted me about their Local Plan and were seeking my views.

I set out, for residents, details of the proposals for new housing in the village, a bus terminal and a medical centre.

I received responses saying "thank you for letting us know" and from some asking that I support the possible inclusion of parking provision for the school in my submission to Wychavon's planning department.

This I did, also supporting the inclusion of a medical centre and bus terminal.

Councillor Steel is perhaps upset my leaflet reported on her performance, along with Karen Lumley, at the recent Boundary Commission hearing.

The leaflet said Councillor Steel and officials from Conservative Central Office had undermined the wishes of her constituents.

She ignored the fact 96 per cent of them wanted Inkberrow to be represented in Parliament by rural Mid-Worcestershire instead of a seat based in Redditch and argued for the opposite.

I don't know what bandwagon she's on but it's not one the residents of Inkberrow will follow.

JACQUI SMITH MP

House of Commons

Westminster