By Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon and Councillor Suzanne Evans, Health Spokesperson, Merton Conservative Group

We were horrified to read Michael Barltrop's letter blaming Conservatives for the proposals to close A&E and Maternity services at St Helier hospital, and disappointed that what we believed to be a newspaper of repute published what was such an obvious lie.

Why on earth does anyone think we have been out campaigning hard against the closures and backing the Wimbledon Guardian's 'Save St Helier' campaign if that is indeed the case?

The truth is a team of NHS managers and medics alone have come up with these ridiculous plans, a team known by the acronym BSBV.

Responsibility for the proposals lies at their door.

It is shameful that they are being allowed to hide behind accusations that this is the Government's fault, accusations put about by Labour party activists who have no qualms about "not letting the facts get in the way of a good story."

Conservatives are holding a public meeting so you can question members of the BSBV team - the real people behind these proposals - at 7pm on Monday July 30 at the Morden Assembly Rooms, Beverley Roundabout, Lower Morden.

We hope anyone who wants an explanation for their decision, and what we can do to try and stop it, will come along.


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