I READ with interest the letter from Ms Evans, from Ampleforth, who accuses me and my parliamentary colleagues who support Mrs May of overriding the views of the majority of northerners.

I would respectfully ask her this. What proposal does she have that will receive the backing of a majority in the House of Commons? This is at the very heart of this complex issue. Whatever is on the table must have the support not only of the EU but also of more than 50 per cent of parliamentarians.

So far, Mrs May’s deal has been rejected, but so would a Canada-style deal, a Norway-style deal, a “no deal” and every other suggestion that has thus far been proposed.

I believe that Mrs May’s deal is the only proposal that delivers on the promises made prior to the referendum; controls over immigration, our laws and our money while protecting businesses and jobs.

I am very hopeful that a solution to the Irish backstop issue will be found in the next few weeks and that a majority of MPs will get behind Mrs May so that we can leave the EU on March 29 as planned.

Kevin Hollinrake,

MP for Thirsk and Malton

Unhelpful view

THE Minerals and Waste Joint Plan was drawn up by North Yorkshire CC, the City of York, and the North York Moors National Park Authority specifically to offer the necessary protective safeguards to the public when planners are considering relevant matters, one of which is fracking.

In accordance with government directives, it assumes fracking will take place. The plan is, however, threatened by the extractive industries, concerned in this case with private profit.

This can only be maximised if some of the safeguards are watered down, in this case the protections afforded by the plan to dwellings, schools, hospitals etc, via a reasonable buffer zone between them and frack sites, as well as by the plan’s insistence on the original definition of fracking which refers to the method and the risk rather than quantities of fluid used.

This insistence ensures that fracking remain a matter for consideration by our planning authorities.

Ms Allanson’s comments in your article, “Councillor in bid to raise fracking cash” (January 16) are, as always, obfuscatory and unhelpful.

They are in any case beautifully disposed of by Dr Peter Williams’ letter in the same edition.

Your readers will make up their own minds whether it is morally justifiable to argue the putative cost benefits for home grown gas at a time when climate change, defying hyperbole, demands massive investment in renewables and the immediate abandonment of investment in new sources of fossil fuels.

Cllr Andrews deserves our support, moral and financial.

David Cragg-James, Stonegrave

Praise for panto

THROUGH your paper could I congratulate the cast and orchestra of this years pantomime Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs held in the Milton Rooms in Malton.

I attended the show on Saturday night at the very agreeable new time of 5.30pm.

The lively audience was thrilled with old-fashioned panto classics, plenty of slap stick fun and laughter, lots of modern twists and wonderful singing, dancing and acting.

We are so lucky to have such a dedicated group of people who put in hours of training to put on wonderful performances for us all to enjoy,

I recommend the panto to anyone, they certainly won’t be disappointed, oh no they wont.

Cllr Lindsay Burr, Norton

New challenge

ALZHEIMER’S Society will mark its 40th anniversary this year, celebrating our story so far and our ongoing commitment to stopping dementia in its tracks.

I’d like to thank everyone who united against dementia last year by fundraising, campaigning and volunteering, helping us challenge perceptions, fund research and improve and provide care and support.

There are many highlights from 2018, including Leeds and York and Alzheimer’s Society uniting with the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and “wrapping” two fire engines in our new logo alongside all their staff becoming Dementia Friends.

Last year Alzheimer’s Society announced that a staggering two and a half million people in the UK have become a Dementia Friend. This initiative asks people to take one small action to help people with dementia feel supported and able to live well in their communities.

With more than 67,000 people living with dementia in Yorkshire and the Humber, the need to unite in the fight against the condition has never been more pressing.

There are so many ways your readers can get involved in 2019 and what better time to take on a new challenge. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/getinvolved to find out how you can unite against dementia.

Judith King, Alzheimer’s Society, Yorkshire and the Humber