THE debate over whether fluoride should be added to drinking water in part of the Southampton city region rumbles on.

As this paper reports today (page 11) health bosses are now accused of stalling on the issue until after the General Election in May of next year.

City council leader Simon Letts remarks that he believes Public Health England (PHE) is waiting to see if a newly installed Health Secretary will alter the playing field on this issue.

Putting aside the fact the present incumbent in the role may still be there after the election, if this is the case it is an affront to the people of the region.

It is also an act of cowardice by PHE, which surely has had plenty of time to decide whether it will plough ahead in the teeth of real opposition from many residents or bow to demands to put this matter to elected representatives of local authorities for a final decision.

This paper has not taken sides in the debate over whether adding the chemical to the water supply is necessary and might cause more harm than good. But we have called for the decision-making process to be transparent and open to democratic resolution.

By dragging their heels in the hope, we must presume, there is a more favourable situation to push the process forward, PHE simply underscores the concerns residents have over game-playing with such a vital issue.