Workington MP Mark Jenkinson joined 54 other Conservative MPs across the north of England and southern Scotland who put their name to a letter sent on Monday to the Prime Minister, urging him to keep to the promises made by the party to “level up” the economy in the north of England.

Mr Jenkinson, along with Carlisle MP John Stevenson, who also signed the letter, is part of the Northern Research Group led by former Northern Powerhouse minister and Lancashire MP Jake Berry.

The group has drawn parallels in the national press to the separate European Research Group – a collective of hard-line Eurosceptic MPs who were widely credited as having been highly influential over the Government’s approach to

Brexit.

While Mr Jenkinson has joined the fight to ensure the future of the north, however, it appears readers are still dwelling on two other stories in the past two weeks: his vote against extending free lunches for children into the holidays and his reported comment that he knew of a “miniscule” number of people on his constituency who swapped food and vouchers for drugs.

Below are some of the comments you’ve been making on Facebook:

Michelle Wilkinson said: “If it ‘s true Jenkinson voted against British farmers too? If so he’s having a great week.”

Phil Holburt wrote: “I’m assuming that, as one of these blokes apparently voted against feeding hungry kids, that his request for the north not to be left behind does not include measures to combat malnutrition?”

Darren Ward felt: “The bus has already gone.”

Allan Grisdale said: “Don’t leave the North behind but can’t feed the kids – that’s the future of the North. Clowns the lot of them.”

Mairead Hezelpop wrote: “They are in the wrong party then.”

And Rachel Ann wrote: “Is this a story to try and paint Mark Jenkinson in a better light again? There was another one earlier in the week detracting from the fact he thinks people in his constituency sell food parcels for drugs and voted against feeding hungry kids.”