YP Letters: Bush and Blair to blame for rise of IS

ANOTHER bombing atrocity in Europe claimed by IS jihadists. While having sympathy for the people of Brussels, it is wholly wrong to lay blame for the carnage at failed Belgian intelligence.

The rise of IS and its medieval ideology followed the removal from power of Saddam Hussein. President George W Bush and his great supporter Tony Blair have the blood of thousands killed in Iraq on their hands since the invasion.

For what? Control of Iraq’s oil.

To counter this threat to Britain, we must support Russia’s attempts to destroy all Islamic terrorist groups in Syria. Also, we must withdraw from the EU to regain control of our national sovereignty and borders.

From: Jim Sokol, St Johns Way, Hempton, Banbury.

DAVID Cameron’s boast that Britain’s influence, safety and financial stability is dependent on our continuing EU membership has finally been outed as a fallacy by recent events and revelations.

The emboldened terrorists responsible for the atrocities in France and Belgium have been proved to be on American and Turkish databases and known to have moved freely to and from Syria at will. Moreover, former CIA leader, General Michael Hayden and retired MI6 chief, Sir Richard Dearlove have both stated that UK security is likely to be improved if we leave the EU.

So Prime Minister, it is high time you and your EU-supporting regime began telling the truth and cease opting for political expediency.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

TONY Blair says crush IS – or terror attacks will intensify. Why doesn’t he take a vow of silence? After all, his invasions of Iraq and Afghanistian are the cause of much of the bloodshed.

PM should holiday in UK

From: Roger Backhouse, Upper Poppleton, York.

DAVID Cameron should not be condemned for taking holidays. Indeed, he and other politicians should be encouraged to take more vacations. Politicans on holiday are marginally less likely to dream up expensive and unworkable schemes.

George Osborne should definitely be told to take more holidays. His latest wheeze to take schools away from councils and give them to unelected academy trusts will cost more and worsen the quality of education. As a naked power bid by Whitehall, it takes some beating. A permanent holiday for George, even on full pay, would be less damaging to children’s schooling.

Your Editorial suggesting David Cameron should holiday in Yorkshire is, of course, an excellent idea (The Yorkshire Post, March 26). But how rarely recent British Prime Ministers have holidayed in the UK.

Tony Blair couldn’t wait to perfect his tan abroad. Margaret Thatcher was usually found in some millionaire businessman’s mansion. I can’t recall Gordon Brown taking a holiday as PM but, as Chancellor, he often went to Cape Cod, USA.

Angela Merkel holidays on the German North Sea island of Sylt, the French President in France on the Med, and US Presidents would never dream of holidaying outside the States. Why do British Prime Ministers fail to support the home tourist industry?

My UK holidays have been excellent, and no, it hasn’t often rained. I commend my fine example to the PM and his colleagues.

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

JAYNE Dowle (The Yorkshire Post, March 28) is right to comment about the Prime Minister going off on another overseas holiday. It is his job to promote this country, which, after all, attracts millions of tourists. By venturing out of the UK it makes one think that out own resorts aren’t good enough for him.

Advice for the novice batter

From: Ralph W Middlbrook, Former Manager, Yorkshire Cricket School.

VERY interesting to read Professor Allen’s research into batting grips (The Yorkshire Post, March 24).

I would strongly suggest that the early journalists/commentators got the description of the stance completely the wrong way round. The batter who stands with their right side facing the bowler and with the acknowledged perception that the top hand is the stronger should have been labelled a “right hand batter”.

Any novice cricketer who initially grasps the bat with their hands the wrong way round should be bodily moved round to face the bowler, not have the position of their hands altered.They will feel comfortable in this new position.

If you wish the young cricketer to decide which is their stronger hand, then ask them to imitate the action of a boxer who wishes to knock their imaginary opponent out.

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

I’VE just learned that Yorkshire Cricket Club have failed to offer Dickie Bird a position of ambassador for the club.

After all he has done for them and the support he has given to the players, coaching staff and supporters throughout his presidency and before, this is a true inequity. Hopefully they can remedy this ASAP.