April 4: General Election letters and why kitchen-sink chat is not the real point

WITH the general election campaign now in full swing, I found the articles written by Tom Richmond and Jayne Dowle interesting (The Yorkshire Post, March 30). I agree with Tom Richmond the forthcoming election is not about “which leader has the most kitchens”.

Similarly, I cannot see the value in David Cameron conducting an interview whilst preparing a salad. Jayne Dowle points out “a film crew accompanied Ed Miliband and his two sons on the school run”. I find it difficult to believe either leader is naive enough to believe that these acts of self promotion will win votes.

The previous Labour government wrecked the economy and while David Cameron has turned the economy around, I find his talk of serving a second term presumptuous. Unless he has a crystal ball he should wait until the results are counted.

Finally, the British people are not interested in publicity stunts and gimmicks, such as David Cameron and Ed Miliband playing happy families on camera. This is an election, not a circus.

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

WE are deluged daily with opinion polls and I challenge both their validity and desirability.

In the era of the two-party system, it was far more straightforward for these polls to reflect the swing of the pendulum. We have now entered the age of coalitions and it is much more difficult to make accurate predictions. How can one poll correctly reflect the particular local features and the increasing tendency to vote tactically on the day?

These polls are restricted in many countries, and with good reason; for instance it can improperly influence voter behaviour. I do not see how the interests of democracy are served by the publication of misleading or inaccurate data. The many polls contradict each other. They have frequently been wrong in the past and it is likely they will be again, with the intricate matters of local issues.

From: Les Arnott, Athelstan Road, Sheffield.

JOHN Duckitt (The Yorkshire Post, March 31) has seemingly not managed to find a political party which advocates an end to rash defence cuts, and indeed, one which seeks to strengthen our borders.

In the same edition of The Yorkshire Post, June Warner, in her letter, does make the point that Ukip is the only party to take seriously the idea that “the first duty of government is to protect its people”.

I am extremely disappointed that Mr Duckitt seems to be one more potential voter who complains about all the things which are so very wrong, but apparently does not bother to check out thoroughly the only serious party to oppose the hapless LibLabCon triumvirate.

From: Martyn L Scargill, Chantry Meadows, Kilham, East Yorkshire.

ARE the same old “mainstream” parties going to dominate yet another election? I mean the Tories and Socialists, of course.

Why are all other parties always dismissed as merely a “joke” or an irritating nuisance that needs to be swiftly swept aside?

Why not give a chance to someone else? The main parties have had their chance, but have done nothing but cause havoc, and no real good. Why are British voters so blinkered that they never pick up the courage seriously to back an alternative party?

From: Ian Oglesby, High Catton Road, Stamford Bridge, York.

PRIOR to the present level of immigration from the EU, this country had four times as many people to the square mile as France and twice as many as Germany.

Difficulties in the social services, hospitals, housing etc are increasing. Teaching a class, where there are a dozen or more first languages, is a problem and there is considerable cost in employing interpreters to help adult immigrants with their benefit claims.

The swamping of this small country with unlimited numbers from the EU cannot be stopped. Several leading politicians in Brussels have said, with great determination, that free movement is their immovable cornerstone.

David Cameron knows that he cannot materially reduce the numbers and has created a fantasy renegotiation policy to attract the gullible and push a referendum “promise” into the distance.

The much-praised Australian system of selective immigration can never be operated here, as long as we stay in the EU.

For this and countless other reasons, it is imperative that we regain self-government.

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

PARTY leaders would be advised not to vilify the opposition and try to predict their assumed policies.

The voters want facts that are realistic and achievable and a criticism of years gone by is normally no advantage.

So no playground tantrums, just policies delivered with integrity.