WYRE Forest’s Labour Party has called on MP Mark Garnier to include all political parties, not just elected representatives, in talks on saving Kidderminster Hospital.

The Conservative MP held talks with leaders on Friday last week to discuss a united response to options put forward by NHS Worcestershire’s joint services review which could threaten the town’s hospital.

It caused controversy with other political parties, such as the Green Party, who were not invited.

Labour Parliamentary Spokesman Howard Martin, who was at the meeting, said: “We are absolutely committed to joint campaigning.

“At the meeting I requested all parties should be involved in Mark’s commendable action, including Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Green Party.

“I had no support, however, from Mark or the representatives from the Liberals, Independent Community and Health Concern or Independents.

“Mark must stop putting a personal agenda before the healthcare of his constituents and commit to an all-inclusive campaign to defend the NHS and hospital.

“We hope Mark will now invite on board the other three parties.”

Mr Garnier said those invited were parties residents had chosen to represent them, although Mr Martin argued nearly 70 per cent of those entitled to vote in May’s district council elections chose not to.

The MP said: “I asked the elected representatives because we have got to start somewhere, where do you draw the line?

"I wanted to make sure all those people got together and agreed on this and on moving forward.

“If you are elected you have a different set of responsibilities than if you are not elected. I am meeting the Green Party next week and other groups.

“If Labour want to invite everyone they then cannot be selective and the BNP, for example, would rightly be outraged if they were not asked.”

Mr Garnier said the district’s political leaders would meet again soon to discuss Kidderminster Hospital.