WITH hundreds of UNISON members striking over job losses and downsizing of public services by Blackpool's cash-strapped Labour-led Council, where are the hypocritical Labour MPs? Let me explain.

Apart from the obvious outrage that I share with the residents, pensioners and the care workers over current events, did you know that both Blackpool's Labour MPs signed UNISON's own House of Commons early day motion (EDM) on December 13, 2000, supporting equal opportunities, democratic accountability and effective delivery of services between members and public authorities?

And furthermore, UNISON's EDM calls on all public authorities to make a commitment to the use of directly employed staff, ending a two-tier workforce and improving public services through partnership with their staff. Recently I asked in a UNISON meeting -- where are your MPs to represent you? Now I know the answer -- they are keeping quiet and siding with their Labour-led council, letting people down.

I publicly challenge both MPs to respond to why they signed UNISON's own EDM along with many other Labour MPs when they are seemingly happy to silently allow councillors to carry out decisions that blatantly affect Blackpool residents and employees in direct contravention to UNISON's principals set out in the Commons documents they both signed. This is Labour hypocrisy in its vilest form. Both MPs are hoping this issue will blow over until after the next general election -- a time when they will know what it is to fight for their jobs.

David Morris, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Blackpool South.