By Councillor Mary-Jane Jeanes, Merton Council (Liberal Democrat, West Barnes ward)

Your report that Merton Council is paying about £4,000 for two tickets for each of the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies means that it’s us, the council tax payers of Merton, who are actually paying.

Our Council’s attitude is in contrast with that of Liberal Democrat-run Kingston Council.

When offered tickets by the Olympic organisers, Lib Dem Kingston Council Leader Derek Osbourne said it would not be right to spend thousands of pounds on tickets following “one of the toughest budgets for a generation”.

I suggest that Merton’s tickets should be raffled or auctioned to raise money for the Mayor’s charities.

This would give a few lucky Merton residents the chance of a lifetime and benefit some good causes.

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