CAMPAIGNERS backing a bill to save community shops, post offices and services are giving Ruth Kelly a second chance to address its supporters in Bolton.
Ms Kelly was criticised after refusing to attend a meeting about the Sustainable Communities Bill held at the Reebok Stadium last month.
The Bolton West MP and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government initially said she could not attend because of diary pressures.
But on the day of the meeting, she said it would have been inappropriate while her department is involved in "delicate negotiations" with the sponsors of the bill, which has cross-party support from 400 MPs.
Campaigners have now offered her the chance to "report back" on progress at a second public meeting on any day of her choice in May, June or July.
Ron Bailey, the bill's campaign organiser, who is calling on Ms Kelly to avoid "watering down" the bill as it proceeds through Parliament, said: "We express disappointment that Ruth Kelly did not attend our public meeting, despite 300 local people doing so."
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