I’M a former resident of Rainhill of many years, and my Dad still lives there and has since 1969.

I have been following, on social media, the background to the election campaign in Rainhill in recent times.


It seems apparent to me that many St Helens councillors, and specifically Cllrs Glover and Grunewald, seem to be losing the arguments on greenbelt development.


So what do they do? 


They resort to smear tactics on a relatively inexperienced candidate, James Tasker, in the face of Twitter and Facebook criticism of them (Star online, April 5).


They dig up a comment from eight years ago on Facebook from his student days (in which Mr Tasker suggested the Government should let tear gas off in St Helens to break up the mess).


I believe the comments, which they (Labour) have turned into criticism, were clearly made tongue in cheek. 


I’ve never met Mr Tasker, or the councillors concerned, but I know panic when I see it, coupled with arrogance. 


The town deserves better than a leader who resorts to social media himself to belittle some people who happen to have a different viewpoint.


If Eccleston based Cllr Glover really wants to engage with Rainhill people, I’d recommend he speaks for what he believes in – as I believe Mr Tasker has done.


Ste Greenall, 
Huntingdon (ex St Helens resident)