SIR – It is fascinating to watch our local MPs leaping aboard yet another passing bandwagon, this time proclaiming their support for threatened neighbourhood pubs.

The next time you hear one of these crass opportunists chirping, just ask the MP in question which way he voted on the smoking ban.

That is the single most important causal factor behind most pub closures since 2007 and no amount of sanctimonious bleating from those who were responsible for the root-cause will let them off the hook. We know who you are.

Graham Hoyle, Kirkbourne Grove, Baildon