Along with all of the Colchester borough councillors, we have also invited Bob Russell to our public meeting about spending cuts at the Town Hall’s Moot Hall, at 7.30pm on Thursday.

By the weekend, we had not had a response from the Colchester MP.

We hope he can attend, as we feel he needs to explain certain recent comments and actions.

We will, of course, applaud our MP when he votes against the Government’s vicious and ideologically- driven attacks on public services.

But we must also express our disgust that Mr Russell voted to abolish the Education Maintenance Allowance.

It is very obvious young people are one of the groups being hardest hit, from university fees to the Education Maintenance Allowance, the appalling record statistics for youth unemployment and to the closure of the Connexions youth service.

Why has Mr Russell supported this attack on the young?

Following his comments in last week’s Gazette, it seems Mr Russell’s attitude towards young people leaves much to be desired.

After many years of political apathy among the young, all true democrats will welcome what seems to be the growing political awareness of young people.

Mr Russell promised to represent all his constituents equally, but seemingly school students, worried about being able to continue with their studies, are a lot less equal than others.

It seems to be Mr Russell who has difficulties with the concept of democracy.

Democracy is so much more than his Westminster club, it needs the participation of the wider public.

And that’s what our meeting on Thursday is all about.

Andy Abbott
Colchester Against
the Cuts
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester