‘Due to’ is not always wrong

SORRY, David McKenna, but I will not entirely refrain from using “due to” as an alternative to “because of”, “as a result of” and so forth (Yorkshire Post, December 6).

My refusal is “due to” the fact that it is not always wrong. Clearly, “owing to” would not fit here. Nor would it in cases such as “The extreme cold is due to the wind-chill factor”. Yes, notices such as “Due to the strike, the library is closed” violate somewhat complex traditional laws of syntax but “due to” is not always wrong any more than “owing to” is always right.

The reality is that we will have to get used to “due to” as “owing to” is becoming practically archaic.

Secret meetings

From: Jack Kinsman, Stainton Drive, Grimsby.

INTERNATIONAL Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell is having secret meetings with the Opposition to enshrine in law that “we”, the public, give another £4bn to overseas countries. This on top of the £8bn we donate at present. The questions that spring to mind are:

Why are these meetings held in secret? Why does this politician want to increase our aid to countries that are very wealthy? Why is this money not being spent on the indiginous working folk of Britain?

Lack of leaders

From: Pete Day, Shephards Close, Doncaster.

POLITICIANS fiddling expenses; newspapers hacking phones; banks cheating the elderly; supermarkets misleading shoppers and sports officials accused of corruption. All lead me to ask if there are any people of integrity left to lead us in the 21st century?

Had its chips

From: Rodney Dale, Thorn Drive, Queensbury, Bradford.

HAVING recently read of the closure of Harry Ramsden at Guiseley, this comes as no surprise. For better quality we always prefered Websters of Baildon anyway. I suppose the building will now be demolished to make way for another supermarket.