AS someone who has actually lived and worked in the York area for more than 60 years, I think I may have some knowledge of the comings and goings over that period.

Two people recently made an appearance in York trying to convince probably an already selected audience of deluded Remain listeners, Labour MPs Alan Johnson and Chris Bryant.

One of Mr Bryant’s comments was that a leave vote could harm tourism and manufacturing.

Did he say this with a straight face?

Anyone from York, unlike most of its councillors, MP and Lord Mayor will have seen the decimation of manufacturing, heavy and light engineering over the years being part of the European Union.

Redfearn National Glass, now houses, Ben Johnsons, now housing, Armstrong patents, now housing, Vickers Instruments and the Button factory in Haxby Road, along with large swathes of Rowntrees, Terry’s soon to be apartments, British Rail engineering.

This is just some of the lost work in York not to be replaced.

I have left British Sugar till last as I spent many years working there and this factory was closed as a direct result of European Union sugar quotas. Two factories had to close to comply with the rules.

York, the most economic factory in the group, was chosen for its valuable land, over 100 acres.

Bob Waite, Holgate, York