I’VE been kicking myself for having missed the opportunity to attend the Atherton meeting addressed by Yvette Cooper.

I would have loved to have had the chance to challenge her on her perception of UKIP.

Years ago there would have been howls of protest had any member of the public tried to debate the issue of immigration.

That has now changed, partly due to UKIP and the main parties are now trying to play catch up having belatedly realised that this is a major concern of the man in the street.

When I say ‘the man in the street’ I include citizens from any and all ethnic backgrounds.

The issue is actually Border Control or the lack thereof in relation to the EU.

I have border control over my front door. This doesn’t mean that nobody can come in. It just means that I have the choice as to who does. The UK doesn’t have that power of choice when it comes to people from the rest of the EU. That is the beginning and end, front and back and top and bottom of the matter.

Without border control there can be no forward planning in Housing, Education or Health Provision.

Without leaving the EU there can be no Border Control.

I notice that Ms Cooper in her choice of venue didn’t seem to have the courage to cross over Four Lane Ends and discover what many of the residents of Bolton think about the matter.

Never mind, I am sure she and her Labour colleagues are going to find out on May 7 to their cost.

Cllr Paul Richardson

Ripon Close

Little Lever