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I said "aircraft on the runway", to which I was told "you could have made it you had 1/4 mile".
Did you make clear that you were a student pilot, on an early (first?) solo?
Good point. The Tower probably shouldn't have implied criticism of a student. For a qualified PPL, well maybe he still shouldn't, but qualified pilots need thick skins. I was on short final in the US with FIVE aircraft on the runway ahead, waiting to cross an intersecting runway. I called that I was going around. Tower called back: "Not enough room for you boy? Get down there!" He was right: there was loads of room. And when I was about to touch down near the start of the runway, I got: "There's another 4 behind you, don't touch down until at least half way please."
But that shouldn't happen with a student, and in any case a pilot should never be intimidated by ATC (or anyone else) about going around if he or she (the pilot) isn't happy with the approach.