Goole’s MP recently had a letter published as a reader’s letter in the Goole Times newspaper in which he describes those that disagree with Town Deal plans as “moaners”, and “negative, and running Goole down.

Perhaps understandably he feels aggrieved that all his hard work is not met with more gratitude from the publicly, especially as he approaches the end of his 14 year tenure as Goole’s MP.

Many would agree Goole’s MP works hard, and that there have been some notable successes. The very dismissive and disrespectful attitude to members of the public with genuine concerns and unhappiness is very disappointing though.

The reason for the gap is that those successes are not delivering meaningful improvements to people’s lives. The Junction 36 project is a case in point. It has brought some big names - Siemens being perhaps the most well known. It has brought an impression of success and prosperity - the symbol being the no expenses spared RaisE building.

The problem is that what has actually been created is a source of income for big business and East Riding Council, and a showpiece for PR opportunities which is in reality an enclave of Beverley. It does not reflect what is happening in the rest of Goole, which is pretty much abandoned - roads and pavements in a terrible state being a prime example.

A major issue is that the general public were never asked what we wanted. We have been told what we are going to get, and we are paying for a PR operation to tell us we will like it if we know what is good for us.

The public library is a big asset to the town. It supports people educating and bettering themselves, living better quality lives and it is very cost effective. It could contribute so much more. That is doesn’t is due to the hollowing out of funding because of an ideology that the markets are the answer to everything, the public sector is incapable of delivering, and taxes for the wealthy should be reduced. That is why our public spaces and public services throughout England are in such a bad state.

The governing party over the past fourteen years is that of Goole’s MP, and the Goole councillors who are East Riding Council leader and the portfolio holder for sports and services like libraries. Public anger at what the governing party’s policies have done to Goole is the reason for a seeming lack of gratitude from the public. The Govt can’t blame another party for the problems, and it can no longer use the EU as its scapegoat. There are a lot of people out on the streets “moaning.”

Thank you to everyone who has signed so far. Keep talking, keep sharing, keep moaning and keep signing!