Tory MP offered chance to eat ‘godawful’ words with holiday
A TORY MP who sparked fury after describing Birmingham and Blackpool as “godawful” places has been offered an all-expenses holiday – to both locations.
Heather Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, made the “offensive” remark at the launch of the 2022 to 2025 Roadmap to a Digital Future last Thursday.
It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in the Lancashire seaside town to give a speech about his planned extension of Margaret Thatcher’s flagship Right-to-Buy scheme.
According to digital journalist Chris Middleton, Mrs Wheeler said: “I was just at a conference in, I dunno, Blackpool or Birmingham, somewhere godawful.”
In response, hotel booking site Hoo, www.
justhooit.com, is offering an all-expenses paid summer holiday to both locations for Mrs Wheeler.
Hoo’s co-founder Adrian Murdock said: “I am not sure if Mrs Wheeler has been to Blackpool in recent years, but for the millions of families who flock there each summer for icecreams, arcades and fun in the sun, she’d see it’s far from ‘godawful’.”
In an open letter to Mrs Wheeler, Mr Murdock tells her: “After two years of economic struggles for some of our best staycation locations, it’s bewildering to see a Government minister reduce a much-loved place where memories are made for so many, to a throw away word.
“We want to help open your eyes and invite you for a two-week blockbuster summer holiday to either destination.”
Mrs Wheeler apologised for her comment in a tweet on Friday saying: “I made an inappropriate remark that does not reflect my actual view... I apologise for any offence caused.”