Best for Britain is to delay Brexit and focus on deadly virus

From: David A Camidge, High Street, Boston Spa, Leeds.
Should Brexit trade talks be deferred because of Covid-19?Should Brexit trade talks be deferred because of Covid-19?
Should Brexit trade talks be deferred because of Covid-19?

I ABSOLUTELY support the Government’s mantra that we will do ‘whatever it takes’ over Covid-19. This is why I’m supporting Best for Britain’s campaign to extend the Brexit transition period, as previously suggested by your columnist Tom Richmond.

It’s not reasonable to expect the Government to secure a new free trade deal with the EU while dealing with a deadly situation on our shores. Extending gives us time to focus on the pandemic now and work out a deal with Europe later.

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We are facing a crisis that transcends traditional politics. Nearly half of Conservative voters agree that transition must be extended in the face of this pandemic, according to recent polling by Best for Britain.

The Queen praised the nation's response to coronavirus during an inspiring address last weekend. Photo: Scott Wilson/PA WireThe Queen praised the nation's response to coronavirus during an inspiring address last weekend. Photo: Scott Wilson/PA Wire
The Queen praised the nation's response to coronavirus during an inspiring address last weekend. Photo: Scott Wilson/PA Wire
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We must delay Brexit talks and scrap HS2 if we can’t sort PPE scandal

NHS England confirmed resources they put aside for No Deal have already been released to tackle the virus. If we cannot get a comprehensive deal in time, how will we weather the double whammy of No Deal and a global pandemic?

We cannot control the timing of the virus outbreak. But we do have control of our transition timetable.

Thanks to all the NHS staff

The transition period governing Britain's exit from the EU is still due to end on December 31 this year - events permitting.The transition period governing Britain's exit from the EU is still due to end on December 31 this year - events permitting.
The transition period governing Britain's exit from the EU is still due to end on December 31 this year - events permitting.

From: Chris Hope, Kippax, Leeds.

I SUFFERED a heart attack on April 3. I was taken straight from my home to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and treated directly upon arrival.

I spent two nights on the ward before being discharged.

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I would like to give a huge, heartfelt thank you to all the staff on Ward 14, Cardiac Ward of the LGI, and also the ambulance crew who attended to me on the Friday evening.

Every single member of the NHS staff who treated me were, kind, caring and simply amazing, providing the most wonderful care for me whilst also dealing with Covid-19 and being so stretched.

My family weren’t able to visit me, but I was in safe hands with the wonderful staff and also able to keep in touch with family via the free phone at the side of my bed provided by a fantastic charity.

You are all heroes, and I hope you are all recognised for this now, and after the current pandemic is under control, thank you so very much!

From: Liz Jesson, The Fairway, Sherburn in Elmet.

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I AGREE with the sentiments expressed by Sue Hanson (The Yorkshire Post, April 4). It would be great if more young people chose a career in nursing.

However, one of the main stumbling blocks is the peculiar notion that one needs a degree to be a good nurse, thus entailing three to four years study.

My mother was a nurse, many moons ago, and she was superb – beginning her working life in mental health nursing before moving to TB nursing, followed by paraplegic nursing and geriatric nursing.

At that time most training was done ‘on the job’ until one became an SEN (state-enrolled nurse). For those wanting to take on more responsibility, they would gain more practical experience as a Staff Nurse until capable of becoming an SRN (state-registered nurse) or Sister.

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As well as a caring nature and a willingness for hard work and unsociable hours, potential nurses need a good basic education, a lot of common sense and a

keenness to learn from experienced colleagues.

Young people can pick crops

From: David Craggs, Shafton Gate, Goldthorpe.

IT will be nothing short of a criminal act if farmers have to plough vegetables into the ground because the workforce is not there to harvest them. But don’t we have a group of young people, the unemployed, university students and secondary school children who could, with a bit of training, fulfil that role?

Perhaps the young of today could be informed that teenage men fought in two world wars for their country, and young women took over the role of looking after food production from the land.

And a common sight during the 1940s and 50s were groups of children, buckets in hand, heading for the nearest farm during their holidays to pick potatoes and peas. It was hard work, but a nice little earner.

Grateful for the milkman

From: Mrs Suzanne Everet, Great Barugh, Malton.

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HAVING read your recent articles on using the local milkman, I fully support your comments. I have used my milkman for over 35 years, and although I pay slightly more for a pint of milk, I can rely on him to deliver. I am in the over-70 age group and self-isolating. I would like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to Stewart Stephenson (Evergreen Dairy Ltd, Pickering) for the service he is providing during these difficult times. I am most grateful.

Medals for all

From: Margaret Williams, Riccall, York.

AT the start of this pandemic, your columnist Tom Richmond talked about whether the Queen’s Birthday Honours should be deferred. I would like to suggest we should award everyone with a medal. It would be very unfair just to honour the top people.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

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And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor