THE communities minister is strange – people in Christchurch were invited to vote and 84 per cent voted in favour of Christchurch not merging with other councils. This suggests they did not want a merger and that they are an actual community who know what they do want and what they don’t.

How often we have been told by politicians about the importance of voting – and when we do vote in a referendum our decision is disregarded by people like the communities minister.

He says Christchurch is not viable. Christchurch is solvent with funds in reserve, assets and no debts. Not viable? How does he reach this decision? Why did he not enlighten us all before we went out and voted in a referendum?

There was fake news that a majority in Christchurch was in favour of merging as I recall – the referendum proved it wrong. Now we are told Christchurch is not viable!

Perhaps he is thinking of the two councils he wishes to compel Christchurch to merge with. They have debts, inadequate funds in reserve and no assets to adequately cover those debts. Small wonder they want to merge with Christchurch. Maybe it is they who are not ‘viable’. Perhaps he would like to switch funds and assets into the coffers of these other two councils to help them and import poor decision-making into Christchurch. After all, Christchurch in a unified authority would be outvoted.

People in Christchurch have paid more in council tax than elsewhere for a very long time now in order to have better services properly funded and the poor decision-making that has taken place in other councils has been avoided.

The communities minister has some explaining to do. If he is so inclined I will be here to help him draft a letter of resignation. In fact I would recommend him to do so promptly.

We are told there is no legal basis to appeal the minister’s decision. What a joke – the communities minister; his decision and the legal system standing behind both. Brexit was decided 52 per cent in favour and 48 per cent against and we are told it must go forward because that is what people want. What is different here?

PAUL EDEN, Bure Haven Drive, Mudeford