Donkeys and candidates

WITH regard to the letter (Yorkshire Post, March 8) claiming a “donkey” could have won the Barnsley Central by-election for Labour, may I respectfully remind the writer that this is not just confined to safe Labour seats.

It also happens in safe Tory seats such as in Richmond, North Yorkshire, where they have been voting in a “donkey” for a number of years. Sadly, this “donkey” is now the Foreign Secretary and the consequences are there for all to see.

Dutch life in the fast lane

From: Terry Duncan, Greame Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

HAVING spent the last few days driving extensively in Holland, I never encountered a pot hole. Maybe they have different snow and frost from what we have here in the UK.

On one journey a large stretch of road had been built and was ready for its final layer of Tarmac over several miles. The following day, the work had been completed.

I wish that our friends across the North Sea would pass on their advice to our road builders....pronto.

Chief targets

From: Mick Dowson, Dowson Joinery Limited, Station Road, Tollerton, York.

WHAT planet does Margaret Eaton, the head of the Local Government Association, live on with her comments that cutting the pay of council chief executives (Yorkshire Post, March 8) will save just £157m?

What other small amounts of a few million pounds has she dismissed as a slight dent? I would sooner have £157m spent on nurses rather than overpaid council chiefs.

Reader friendly

From: JL Brookes, Dene Close, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes.

GOOD news! Spring has arrived! I have to report that yesterday morning I saw a gas/electricity company meter reader. He was not visiting me; this has not happened for some time, but, it is comforting to know that they still exist.

He did not settle long enough for me to ask if the species were becoming extinct; although I suspect the companies are rapidly preparing for this eventuality.