Public Conveniences
Lower High Street

The Worcester News, 13th April 2006, Letters page

My faith in politics is now rather strained SIR - I keep telling myself that local politics is not, or at least should not be, like Westminster in miniature. But in the face of the recent antics of Malvern Hills District Council, I find my faith in local politics is straining to breaking point. On Monday last, councillors voted along party lines for the second time in the increasingly sordid saga of public toilets. Almost from the outset, it was obvious that a motion to rescind the council's decision to close toilets in Malvern, Tenbury and Upton would fail. Why? Because Liberal Democrats would not only use their controlling block vote, they would also come prepared to spring a new, carefully worked out alternate proposal at the meeting. Yet there was no indication beforehand that a new proposal would be presented. Nor, in my view, was there adequate time for all councillors to give this out-of-the-blue proposal proper thought and debate. This was decision making by the back door - a fairly low level of political sophistication. Despite overwhelming public opposition, the toilets remain closed. The point has been rammed home that the district council does not consider this basic facility is its responsibility. But at what price? JOHN WILCOX, Hospital Bank, Malvern.