YP Letters: Brexit '“ respect the result of democracy

ANYONE watching or listening to the media could be forgiven for thinking that the only thing that exists or worth talking about is Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, the Royal Family, the Beckhams and Theresa May, with saturation coverage on a daily basis and those of us below lucky to get a walk-on part.

Now I read that 38 MPs have written a letter demanding a second referendum on Brexit – never mind the 17 million-plus who voted to leave Europe.

I voted to stay, but I accept the result. These MPs have the audacity to claim that the electorate, unlike them, didn’t understand the issues that were voted on and maybe Vladimir Putin used his influence for a no vote.

This view gives real understanding of what a small clique of MPs think about the electorate, if they speak like this in public, what are they saying in private?

These 38 MPs who don’t accept the referendum should now be subjected to instant recall by the electorate in their constituencies where a mini general election should take place.

The people have spoken and as Bertolt Brecht said ‘you cannot re-elect the electorate’, their decision is final. If the decision isn’t accepted, then democracy is in trouble.

From: Coun Tim Mickleburgh (Lab), Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

ANYONE would think that certain people don’t really want us to withdraw from the EU. For how easy is it to pull out of any organisation?

After all, countries that trade with us are hardly going to suddenly take their business home as it would harm them more than us.

Masterful and farcical

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

I FANCY that Jayne Dowle’s conception of “Ministers intent on befuddling us into submission” (The Yorkshire Post, July 23) raised a cheer from many of us.

I recently enjoyed an Ilkley Playbouse production of Yes, Prime Minister based on the 1980s TV series.

It involved a manic PM contemplating a questionable, long-term oil deal.

It also involved the possibility of bringing three ladies of the night from King’s Cross to Chequers, using the Queen’s helicopter.

All this and Sir Humphrey’s masterful circumlocutions somehow started to make perfect sense.

The long fight to vote

From: Margaret Bonser, West Cowick.

IN a recent article on the suffragettes, Fleur Butler wrote about the 100 years since certain women were allowed to vote. I think she also should have mentioned the years of struggle by women of all walks of life prior to 1918. It took 86 years to obtain the first stage of votes for women. The first reform bill was presented to the House of Commons in 1832 followed by many more, all cleverly ignored by governments.

The fight continued for a further 10 years when, in 1928, women were given equal voting rights as men.

These dedicated women ceased their suffragette activities to devote their time to the war effort. I have recently been researching the Women’s Institute movement which started in 1915 of which some of the early members supported suffrage, and one of the statements made by male members of the public stated ‘they will never succeed without a man’. But by George they did.

Mission statement

From: Neil Richardson, Kirkheaton.

ROGER Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, describes his leadership mission with the NP11 body made up of the North’s Local Enterprise Partnership via five shorthands beginning with P: powers, pounds, patience, persistence and partnership (The Yorkshire Post, July 21).

But why this letter rather than, say, L? I’ll suggest four aide-memoires which may be equally appropriate to performance across several sectors in the North – logical debate, learning one’s way towards organisational improvement, life-work balance, and, courtesy of Sir John Harvey-Jones, listening to the bearers of bad news.

She would not be amused

From: Geoff Marsden, Buxton Avenue, Heanor, Derby.

A FEW days ago, there was an article in the paper relating to a tin containing chocolate given by Queen Victoria to the soldiers in combat during the Boer War.

It read that on the tin was an image of the bust of Queen Victoria. I dare not, or even cannot, write what image shot through my mind.

However my dilemma was well and truly appeased when I saw a picture (The Yorkshire Post, July 23) of the bust of Queen Victoria. My relief was assuaged realising that my thoughts had been a little erroneous.

Presumed innocent

From: Val Kent, Cawthorne, Barnsley.

I JUST want to say how passionately I agree with the views expressed by Neil McNicholas (The Yorkshire Post, July 20) in relation to Sir Cliff Richard.

If a person making an accusation against someone enjoys anonymity, why doesn’t the accused? One of the basic principles of our judicial system is surely that a person is innocent until proven guilty.