LETTER: Plug in to local events

I was staggered to read the disingenuous words of Alan Meekings in your paper recently (21/11).

Of course, Mr Meekings is right that Conservative Governments had to make tough decisions to repair our economy following the catastrophic recession triggered by years of financial mismanagement by Gordon Brown’s Labour Party. However, I’m confused why he then concludes his letter by declaring he’ll be voting for the Liberal Democrats. Has he forgotten that it was the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition that jointly implemented the necessary cost-saving measures?

Thankfully, our economy has recovered, meaning we can turn the page on austerity. Boris Johnson has already pledged enormous investment in public services including the NHS, schools and police. We would be putting this at risk again by voting for the uncosted, wildly irresponsible promises made by Labour and Lib Dems.

People of all of all views locally regard Sir John Hayes as one of the most active and effective MPs in Parliament when it comes to fighting for his constituents. And unlike some, he lives at the heart of the local area he represents, championing local causes.

Rather than simply looking at a website which provides no context, why doesn’t Mr Meekings actually plug in to local events? John Hayes has succeeded in lobbying the Government to ban single use plastics whilst arguing that we should reforest large parts of the British countryside, and preventing Network Rail from destroying thousands of trees in Lincolnshire. Instead of banning diesel cars and gas cookers, (as we’d have to do to meet Lib Dem manifesto promises) we should follow John’s example and reduce pollution by shopping locally!

Michael J Richards
Park Lane
Spalding