HOW utterly shameful it is that our MP Kevin Hollinrake has voted with “The Ayes” in last week’s deferred division ballot which effectively opens the door to fracking on our doorstep.

This man was elected to represent the Thirsk and Malton constituency and has publicly accepted that the majority of the residents in the ward are opposed to fracking and yet he has chosen to vote for it?

Other Tory MPs, including Andrew Turner, (Isle of Wight) and Sarah Wollaston, (Totnes), chose to represent their electorate and vote against the move rather than to toe the party line and I applaud their moral fortitude and strength of conviction.

One has to question the reasons why an elected representative chooses to vote against the wishes of those very people who put him in such a position?

I believe that I have an open mind where fracking is concerned and can see why there is a strong move in that direction, but I also recognise the immense amount of uncertainty about the safety implications and long-term ecological effects this process may have; it is for these reasons that I believe a moratorium on any decision would have been the way forward for such a period as is necessary to provide evidence to prove or otherwise the facts behind claim and counter claim.

When I challenged Mr Hollinrake about his stated open mind he informed me that his view was that fracking should proceed and that reviews and safety measures should be conducted as work progresses, why the rush? I do not know if our MP has any personal interest in this industry, I would seriously doubt that to be the case, but that then, leaves open the question as to why he is so supportive of the so called, “dash for gas”, could it be that he has already sold out the electorate in favour of a personal career and does not wish to taint his CV by voting against his party leaders wishes?

Answers are needed Mr Hollinrake, your constituents need to know why.

Steve Pearse, Great Barugh

 

Deeper truth

ON December 16, MPs voted to allow shale gas fracking in National Parks. I have to assume that this will include SSSIs and AONBs. This will be seen by many as a desecration of our beautiful countryside and a revocation of the principles of protecting such places.

It will, however, be heavily supported by the tax-payer; after all it is for our benefit (isn’t it?) and it will keep many in employment and increase GDP.

It might, also hide a deeper truth. Since the UK does not have a cogent and coherent energy policy this might suggest that our energy security is somewhat more parlous than we might wish to believe.

D Loxley, Hartoft

 

Songs and scones

I JUST had to write to tell people about our Christmas Songs and Scones at Amotherby on December 8. Ryedale Carers Support are just wonderful always but this was something special.

Our singer Chloe and musician Steph sang us Christmas songs and had such fun with us and they have a wonderful gift of interacting with us all. We had an extra special tea.

I’m sure everyone came away like me feeling we won’t experience much better all over the Christmas period.

What marvellous work Ryedale Carers Support do. They have made a wonderful difference to my life.

Olive Birkett, Rillington

 

Poetry is lovely

I LOVE your Poetry Corner and read it every week.

I think all the poems are first class and interesting. I enjoy reading them all but I’d like to say that I think the poems by Gilliam Walsh are so brilliant and touching.

She should have her poetry made into a book. I’d love to know more about her.

Has she written all her life? Does it take her a long time to write a poem? Has she studied poetry a lot?

Pat Lawty, Langtoft