Me thinks you may think to much 1966?
I honestly dunno if that was the reason & neither does anybody else on this forum.
What i do know is If the opposition party had done exactly the same thing certain folk on here who may now be slagging the Gov would likely praise them for supporting out hard hit seaside economy.
Say it shows they care about the north, the risk is minimal outdoors in the sea air & what a well though out proactive decision they have made
.
I am in now way suggesting you would think or say that btw.