Two views on Teesworks
I REALLY must reply to S Hicks’ letter regarding the finances of the Teesworks site (Mayor backs our town, Feedback, 05.06.23).
If Andy McDonald has concerns about financial irregularities it is only right and proper that he brings this up. It’s not hanging out the dirty washing, he wouldn’t be doing what he’s paid for if he didn’t raise this that is representing the people of Middlesbrough.
We are talking about millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money that is involved.
As for the mayor, if he has a problem with what was said why hasn’t he started legal proceedings against the Financial Times or Private Eye as Andy McDonald has only repeated what’s been written in these two publications? It would be interesting – the court case Houchen v the Financial Times but I won’t hold my breath waiting.
Middlesbrough
EXCELLENT letter from S Hicks in your Feedback page in which he condemns Labour MP Andy McDonald for his rant against Ben Houchen in parliament, which was a totally inappropriate format for his outburst and his failure for not repeating his remarks outside of parliament where he could face legal reprisals.
Clearly he is not prepared to put his money where his mouth is.
There is not a lot to add to this fiasco except maybe to ask the question, how long are Labour prepared to support an underperforming MP with a history of
Ben Houchen
Andy McDonald dubious comments and actions?
Chris McIntyre, Ormesby
A rural crime that affects townies too
THOUGH illegal, birds of prey are often killed and if you look at the statistics more are killed in and around grouse moors and one of the worst areas is up here in our part of the country .
It’s obvious those involved in grouse shooting are not going to be in support of the reintroduction of once native birds of prey however that’s not an excuse for killing them and as I’ve said it’s illegal anyway.
It’s a crime that’s also difficult to police and due to the location, a case of out of sigh, out of mind.
These killings were reported in a local paper that covers a more rural area and therefore a paper that highlights more rural matters. Having said that, it’s something for us townies to be concerned about. After all it’s our countryside as well .
Barry Chalmers,
Priestfields
Labour needs to get in the real world
I HAVE never been or would be a supporter of Tory policies but have to agree with local Conservative MP Jacob Young on Labour’s strategy on the immigration issue.
When will Labour’s out-oftouch with the working masses politicians wake up to the problem that is a problem created by them in the early noughties and fully seen through by the incompetent Tories who love cheap workers?
How is housing these people on barges ‘inhumane’? I worked in the oil industry for many years on many projects at sea or on land and barges were used to accommodate us, the men and women who Labour project as having our welfare and rights as their holy grail.
Wake up and get in the real world – it’s not racism or any other upper middle class idiocy that you now promote to us and hope to win back our vote.
Jade Sinclair,
Redcar