EVERY week we see on our television screens, and read in the media, of the sufferings of local people following the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

I'm afraid that the sort of events described on Page 3 of your October 26 issue will, at least in the short term, continue thus proving how right the people of Wyre Forest and south Shropshire were in forecasting the dire consequences of such a misconceived notion.

Add to this the possibility of the opening of a waste incinerator in any built-up area, let alone in one of the busiest and most densely populated parts of a large town, and one wonders what the powers-that-be have done with their common sense.

However, I think I see a chink of light.

While there is no doubt that our MP has helped many people in his constituency, Mr Lock must now realise that he, or any other nominee of the Labour Party, has more chance of taking his next summer holiday on Mars than being elected again to serve as Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest.

There must be a general election in the near future, the Government have suffered a serious drop in their popularity following fuel-duty protests, and they have a poor record in other parts of the country where services have been reduced contrary to the clearly expressed wishes of local communities.

I am, therefore, led to the conclusion that the Government will shortly be offering "incentives" all over the country in an effort to have their members re-elected for another term.

More back-tracking on their support for the decisions of our unelected health authority can be expected and perhaps a removal of the incinerator threat.

Whether the Wyre Forest electorate will fall for moves like this is another matter, but perhaps we can all be optimistic for a change.

Keep up the good work Wyre Forest District Council.

MIKE DOBSON

Kestrel Close

Kidderminster