I AM sorry to have to say goodbye to our former local MP, Kris Hopkins, after he has served our community so well.

On issues ranging from the pointless military action in Syria, the culling of badgers to the removal of benefits to our most vulnerable individuals, Kris could be guaranteed to follow the party line and send me replies to the many, many issues I raised with him thanking me for my template e-mails.

It could be said that Kris was deeply concerned with issues brought to him by his constituents, but as he never held any surgeries we can’t be exactly sure of the impact he had.

His annual job fair was his pride and joy, but as the letter to the Keighley News from numerous local headteachers exasperated by slashed school budgets showed, Kris wasn’t that concerned about the education of our children.

Although there wasn’t much Mr Hopkins could actually do about the Aire Valley incinerator, it was more the warm and friendly way he dealt with people’s concerns that further endeared him to the hearts of those who were throwing themselves into a campaign to stop pollution clogging up the lungs of the valley and its inhabitants.

As we can see from the catastrophic campaign of Theresa May, whom Kris was ‘standing with’, people don’t want to be dictated to in a series of meaningless sound bites and an offhand manner.

Having featured on last week’s Have I Got News For You?, Kris should reflect on using the slogans that may not always get the required response when surrounded by people who have their own opinions and aren’t the usual rent-a-crowd that made much of the Tory campaign look forced and stilted.

So Kris, I am sure there are good things waiting for you round the corner as a ‘yes man’ with whatever new role you choose to pursue, but sadly I won’t be available to give you a reference.

ANTONY SILSON Skipton Road Keighley