ONE could not help but notice the honourable member for Keighley and Ilkley, Mr Hopkins, was conspicuous by his absence at Saturday’s march from East Morton to Church Green, made by more than 600 concerned local residents protesting against the building of the massive commercial incinerator planned for Marley.

It will be noted that Mr Hopkins has, in the recent past, marched through Keighley in support of other community groups, so it was disappointing, to say the least, that he could not be present on this occasion.

The 600-plus who marched are merely the tip of the iceberg and undoubtedly represent a far greater number who – for a myriad of reasons, such as work and family commitments, age, health and infirmity – could not attend on the day.

You do the maths, Mr Hopkins. After you factor in families, friends, neighbours and work colleagues and then add to this growing number all those who will be made aware of your support for the incinerator via the planned distribution of fliers and letters such as this, you will see where this is going.

While it may be reasonable to assume your current majority of only 3,053 votes was bolstered by those cast in Ilkley, this support could quickly evaporate when the good folk of Wharfedale realise their windows will need to be closed and their children kept indoors, every bit as much as is sure to be the case in Airedale.

And there you have it. In the blink of a soot-filled eye, your flimsy majority could be blown to the four winds just as surely as the noxious plume from the 300ft-high incinerator chimney most certainly will be. Time to reconsider your position I think, Mr Hopkins.

DAVID STURDY Morton Grove, East Morton