I READ with interest and a large amount of scepticism Jon Reeve’s piece about the closure of Oaklands Swimming Pool (Daily Echo, July 28).

Dr Alan Whitehead MP is clearly reluctant to add fuel to the flames of contention in regard to the pool sagaÿ.

The local Labour Party has without doubt scored an own goal with their handling of the matter. Back in 1983 when the Tories were in power Dr Whitehead, who was the then leader of the council’s Labour group, promised he would build swimming pools in Bitterne and Lordshill .

Labour took control of the Council in 1984 and despite strong opposition from the Tories under their leader, Mr Norman Best they were built.

However Dr Whitehead was reluctant when it came to the building of Lordshill pool because of the quite high cost compared to the one at Bitterne.

Nevertheless after being subjected to a lot of table thumping from the two Coxford Labour councillors, Linda Gallacher and myself, he relented.

There was also a cinema , an auditorium, plus a bar and gym – these have all vanished.

When it comes to any facilities, recreation or otherwise, Lordshill is either last or misses out altogether. This has been case for a considerable number of years, so much so that I have often wondered if Lordshill is really a part of Southampton . Tory, Labour, Lib Dem they have all contributed to Lordshill being short changed and from the look of it, still are.

GEORGE MELROSE, Southampton.