I hope you will allow me to use the pages of your newspaper to appeal to Merton's Tories to stop starving Morden of investment.

I want to especially highlight the sorry state of Morden leisure centre and pool, which is in desperate need of replacement.

Merton councillors recently produced a report on leisure centres in the borough. This report recommended a new mixed-use leisure centre for Morden. But the Tories are refusing to take a decision, and meanwhile Morden's leisure centre continues to decline. In fact, the Tories have actually diverted money out of the budget for Morden pool and spent it on other leisure centres instead!

The Tories claim to be in favour of regenerating Morden town centre - but instead of spouting a load of hot air, why won't they do something practical like replacing the leisure centre, which would kick-start regeneration in the area?

Can I appeal to your readers to write to the council - or to your newspaper - to demand money be made available to replace Morden leisure centre and to keep Morden healthy.

Let's see if people power can make the difference where rational argument has so far failed.

COUN MAXI MARTIN
St Helier Ward