Adding to old owl’s wisdom

WHEN I was a young apprentice jockey, a “wise old owl” head lad said to me: “Son, there are three things you will never see in life: a fat jockey; a bookie wearing bicycle clips and a dead donkey.”

In a long life I have seen none of these. Should I ever have the pleasure of meeting my old head lad, at that Royal Ascot in the sky, I will tell him that I have added one more thing never to be seen, to his list: a politician that never told a “porky”.

Naming and shaming

From: Dai Woosnam, Woodrow Park, Scartho, Grimsby.

FORGET first cuckoos in spring, I saw my first shameless politician disgracing the poppy by wearing one a stupid 22 days before November 11. Even Horatio Bottomley is turning in his grave.

I refer to Edwina Currie on Sky News, reviewing the newspapers on Saturday. These people should be named and shamed.

Economic benefits?

From: Hilary Andrews, Wentworth Court, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

WE have been enjoying a visit from our friends who emigrated to Australia 15 years ago.

Recently, when the Australian economy was flagging, all citizens were given $1,000 to stimulate spending. It worked. Wouldn’t we be better doing that than making more and more people redundant and putting them on benefits?

Internet discrimination?

From: David H Rhodes, Keble Park North, Bishopthorpe, York.

it’s that time of year again for self-assessment taxpayers who file paper returns. The deadline is midnight on October 31 and any received after that will be subject to a £100 fine. However, if you file your returns online you have until January 31. Is this not discrimination?