BANG on cue, Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman calls for more regional powers, no doubt without a vote (Echo, Sept 17).

The MPs’ expenses scandal raised the public’s blood pressure to boiling point. We also have undemocratic all women shortlists, as enjoyed by Ms Goodman, implying people are incapable of choosing the best person, man or woman.

Ms Goodman complains of London house prices averaging £350,000, whereas locally they are nearer £100,000. But she lives in a £350,000+ constituency home. She didn’t chose to live in an averagely priced local home but chose one 3.5 times the average – and passed the bill to us.

Forget that Ms Goodman spoke eloquently about the wrong village of Ingleton or that she suggests Hamsterley residents ought to accept money in return for wind turbines while never demanding developers at St Helen Auckland financially assist Bishop Auckland town centre. Ms Goodman has overseen services lost at a new hospital – a hospital with a capital cost of near £50m, whereas the eventual cost to the public will be £350m.

Manufacturing in Spennymoor almost wiped out while the local population’s council tax has more than doubled with no improvement in service, although the number of people earning £50,000+ in local authorities went up tenfold.

Her Government took more and more of our money and still collapsed the nation and passed the book for others to make the harsh choices.

I’m afraid Ms Goodman and a good number like her from all parties poisoned the Westminster well. Remove them first and foremost.

Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.