How can Scotland's rights be written into the merger agreement at the expense of the rest of England – and Wales?

As someone born and bred in Halifax, and who witnessed the effects of its economic decline from the days when it led the way in heavy industry, textiles and confectionery, the continued presence of the Halifax has provided a source of civic pride and aspiration for young people who are able to secure quality employment – locally.

I am afraid that the removal of the Halifax, as even a token head office, will sound the death knell for the town.

From: Robert Bottamley, Thorn Road, Hedon, East Yorkshire.

THE latest bout of financial chaos was so serious that it moved Gordon Brown to provide a rare interview (Yorkshire Post, September 22).

Naturally, the Prime Minister exonerated himself and his Government from any responsibility, insisting that "decisive action" was being taken to deal with the situation.

Explaining the present crisis, Mr Brown referred vaguely to failed mechanisms within the financial markets.

But if these mechanisms are indeed to blame, they are not recent factors: while the consequences of their failure are only now becoming apparent, the potential for disaster must (for an economist) have been there to see for a number of years.

Given that the Prime Minister was Chancellor of the Exchequer for 10 years, why didn't he see it?

From: Mark Andrew, Manor Heath Road, Halifax.

LOCAL Labour MPs may get uptight over the suggestion that the merger will protect jobs in Scotland with no mention of those in Halifax but, of course, the blame lies with the Prime Minister and Chancellor in not having the Financial Services Authority deal with the situation after the problems at Northern Rock.

Was the Prime Minister more concerned with "watching his back" or about Labour's situation in Scotland when he had a "chance" meeting with the chairman of Lloyds TSB?

From: T Mason, Wakefield Road, Pontefract.

THE Government, that is to say, the Scottish caretaker in No 10 Downing Street and his Scottish cronies who are running (or ruining) our country have insisted on the Lloyds TSB takeover of HBOS to save jobs in Scotland at the expense of jobs in England.

These people hate England and for some reason they hate Yorkshire in particular.

Eighty-five per cent of all Britons are English and the population of Yorkshire is larger than that of Scotland.

The time is long overdue to find our collective English spine and take back control of our country from both Scots and Europeans, now.

This is one Lloyds TSB account holder who will be taking their business elsewhere. Hopefully many others in Yorkshire will follow suit.

From: Don Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.

I HAVE always had the greatest respect for anyone who makes a success of business. They are the real wealth creators on which the rest of
us live.

I have no respect, however, for the City and the Stock Exchange. They have been notorious for years for insider dealing, asset stripping and selling short. These are only the ones we know about.

You may ask why doesn't the Government clean it up? The answer is that the same people who enrich themselves by corrupt practices also finance our political parties.

It is not as blatant as in the United States – the British way is more subtle but our politicians are in these people's pockets every bit as much as they in the US.

From: Paul Emsley, Hellifield, North Yorkshire.

COME on, Halifax, don't be naive. With a Scottish Prime Minister, a Scottish Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Labour Party facing meltdown in Scotland against the SNP; do you really think they won't
support HBOS staff in Edinburgh first?


A very nice café... and an excellent museum


From: Mrs E Cockcroft, Penrith Crescent, Colne, Lancashire.

I WENT with some friends to Leeds for a day out and, walking round Millennium Square, we spotted a likely looking place to rest our feet and enjoy a coffee.

We went into a stylish, chic café, sat on comfy leather settees, ordered our coffees and sandwiches, and it was only then we realised it was the city museum café!

What a brilliant idea by the city council to get people to look round the museum and enjoy the exhibitions on offer by tempting them in through the café, as well as the front door!

We probably wouldn't have thought to have a look inside at the exhibitions (less shopping time!) if we hadn't already been inside enjoying the ambience, but having spotted the full size tiger in the museum through a window in the café, we were lured into looking at everything else.

We can really recommend taking the time to have a look, as we all said it was the highlight of our day, and try the café as well – the prices are very, very reasonable and the food and service are great.


The bubble has burst and Gordon Brown is bust


From: RC Curry, Adel Grange Close, Leeds.

THIS Government, under Blair and Brown, has spent its time in office by taking full advantage of the feckless ways of the financial marketeers. It has also ripped off the working public with ever increasing, so called, hidden taxes.

It has gathered in billions and strewn money around the public offices in order to artificially employ people in ever increasing arms of state checking on this, that and the other, but contributing little to productive effort in the hospitals, police, armed forces or other necessaries.

The annual "gifts" to pensioners and others have been minimal in comparison with the back-door taxes, such as additional VAT on fuel and energy prices.

It has followed the same old Labour mantra of spend, spend, spend to keep the people happy, without any thought of the consequences which roll up every time to haunt them for their profligacy. The same fate has met every Labour government since the party was invented.

What hypocrisy now to have the nerve to stand up and condemn those in the free market who have been left to be too free, because it suited Blair and Brown to preen themselves for their cleverness. It may be right for irresponsible speculators to be brought to heel, but not by the arch speculator of all, one Gordon Brown. The bubble has now burst, and Brown should realise that he is bust, and go without further ado. The only problem is who on earth in his party is capable of taking over to make some sense of it all?

Perhaps Nick Clegg fancies his chances as he mentioned being "the next government". Certainly, his recent conference had the same absurd rosy tinted view of life as the more famous and enjoyable TV programme with his namesake.