Following a Tory Minister’s controversial comments that Blackpool was a ‘godawful’ place, booking site Hoo, www.justhooit.com, have offered the MP a two-week all-expenses paid summer holiday to Blackpool. Helen Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, made the offensive remark whilst speaking at an official government event in a London hotel, on the very same day Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in the resort to give his keynote speech about his planned extension of Margaret Thatcher’s flagship Right-To-Buy scheme. Ms Wheeler said, ‘I was just at a conference in, I dunno, Blackpool or Birmingham, somewhere godawful.’ 

Hoo’s co-founder Adrian Murdock said, ‘I am not sure if Ms Wheeler has been to Blackpool in recent years, but for the millions of families who flock there each summer for ice-creams, arcades and fun in the sun, she’d see it’s far from godawful.’

To underline his point, Adrian Murdock has written to the Tory MP and Cabinet Secretary saying, ‘After two years of economic struggles for some of our best staycation locations, it’s bewildering to see a Government minister reduce a much-loved place where memories are made for so many, to a throw away word. These are places where millions flock to for a city break, a beach holiday, to celebrate, to build sandcastles, to shop, to have hen parties, to see illuminations, to forget all about the 9-to-5. We want to help open your eyes and invite you for a two-week blockbuster summer holiday. It will be all expenses paid – but please declare it, we’d hate to see a minister get into hot water.’

The letter concludes, ‘Instead we would prefer to see you enjoy a dip into the thrillingly chilly waters of Blackpool. Drop us a line and we will make all the arrangements for you.’