Enough of the ‘smart alec’ media experts only qualified in hindsight

From: Bob Watson, Baildon.
Is criticism of Boris Johnson justified or not?Is criticism of Boris Johnson justified or not?
Is criticism of Boris Johnson justified or not?

PETER Green was quite right to point out that our Prime Minister needs support and not sniping from the sidelines in the current climate (The Yorkshire Post, May 16).

Like him, I have been quite disgusted at the concerted efforts of so many to criticise, often with the benefit of hindsight, when none would want to be put in the position of having to make the continued hugely difficult decisions that are needed, often virtually on the hoof, with no past experience available, and really looking into the unknown.

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Far too many have done so, from the BBC and other such correspondents, some letter writers and other commentators. Even The Yorkshire Post’s Tom Richmond has not been immune from this. What we need are constructive suggestions, and not constant carping, when none of us would want to be in the position of having to guide the country forward through this appalling virus.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs.

All shades of opinion should be in support of the Government at such a time. Blame should not be on the agenda, either now or in the future. All we will need to do is to learn lessons for when the next such pandemic raises its head. In the meantime, smart alecs we can do without.

From: Terry Morrell, Willerby.

CRITICISM is only valid when it is constructive (Tom Richmond, The Yorkshire Post, May 16). But of course that doesn’t sell newspapers and attract attention of TV pundits.

There are so many self-proclaimed experts who are only too ready to point out what the Government should have done and said. It is a great pity these pundits don’t spend more time predicting the future rather than nitpicking past events!

From: Paul Rouse, Main Street, Sutton upon Derwent, York.

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THE Bank of England now says that it will buy the Government’s debt at the end of it all, but that sounds like cooking the books to me, and I don’t think the rest of the world will let us get away with it. We need to get the whole of Britain back to work as I doubt we will ever get rid of this virus completely and it would be better to earn our way out, or at least bury the debt in a thriving economy.

From: Henry Cobden, Ilkley.

ALL I can say is that The Yorkshire Post’s columnists have been far more effective exposing the shortcomings of Matt Hancock, Priti Patel and Chris Grayling to name three, than Labour MPs at Westminster.

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.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

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