I WAS disappointed to read Michael Wills' letter in the Advertiser on August 18 in which he accuses me of engaging in personal abuse against him.

I did not I made a reasonable (if somewhat scathing) criticism of his public pronouncement that the people of Swindon have to choose between keeping Coate Water or having a university.

I should have thought that, as an MP, he would be used to the idea that when public figures make controversial public statements, they are open to members of the public criticising their position.

Mr Wills appears to be attempting to narrow the debate into a false choice between a university or Coate Water, claiming "what is a suitable site for the university must be a matter for the university to decide."

Well, no, actually. What is a suitable site for anyone who wishes to build in Swindon is a matter for the people to decide.

The University of Bath should engage in the normal consultation process and ask the people of Swindon whether they want a university and, if so, where, instead of simply marching in and demanding our greenbelt land.

I would expect our representatives to make that point to the University of Bath. It is time for Mr Wills to decide whose side he is on the University of Bath or the people of Swindon.

I find it astonishing that a politician cannot tell the difference between "personal abuse" and legitimate criticism of his public pronouncements.

If Mr Wills cannot tell the difference, or cannot tolerate such criticism, perhaps he might like to reflect as to whether he is in the right job.

Paul Davis

Coate