February 4 Letters: Nasty Party targets the most vulnerable

WITH an election approaching, I see that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is trying to make a bid for the centre ground of British politics. The trouble is, having been part of a coalition Government for almost five years, he’s left things a little late to try and distance himself from the right wing actions of David Cameron that his party has propped up.

To begin with, we saw the betrayal over tuition fees, probably the single biggest reason why people voted Lib Dem back in 2010. As a result the party’s poll ratings collapsed, as individuals realised that a once proud independent liberal-minded organisation had sold out its soul in order to obtain a share of power. And really, there’s been little evidence that things have changed since then, what with the likes of the bedroom tax and below inflation benefit rises for the most vulnerable.

Indeed, I’m led to believe that the coalition have now withdrawn all financial support given to councils to help them subsidise council tax for those of working age.

As a result, those on Income Support or Job Seekers’ Allowance will have to find an extra £10-15 a week from a benefit of a little above £72.

Not surprisingly therefore, the real choice at the next General Election is between keeping in power those who don’t understand the poor, and electing a party who will do their best to help people less fortunate, despite the economic difficulties.

From: John Rookes, Bramley, Rotherham.

The Nasty Party are alive and kicking, spearheaded by the “quiet man” Iain Duncan Smith announcing further cuts to benefits for the old, disabled and unemployed, anywhere they can, at the same time looking after themselves and their millionaire friends and donors. What with their toxic salaries and generous expenses, cuts should be made there before any more for the poorest and most vulnerable.

Proudly I have never voted Labour in my life, however my mind is not yet made up for the 2015 general election and Labour are still in the mix. Can I obtain tablets for this condition?

From: Martin Hall, Woodhouse Lane, Beighton.

THE EU has now stated that a BMI of over 40 is a disability! A whole new market for lawyers to sue for discrimination. We must escape all this insanity. (By the way – there will be no referendum from the Tories in 2017. They will be a minority government, at best).

Time to start voting Ukip, get sufficient MPs for the party to have a base to challenge for being the government in 2020. I can see no other way out of the EU.

Charity with no fanfare

From: Hugh Rogers, Ashby, Scunthorpe.

IF you want to give money to a children’s charity (or indeed any charity) you don’t have to wait for Comic Relief, or the BBC’s annual charitable juggernaut Children in Need.

Unless the price for your generosity is to be entertained, just go to the website of your favourite charity and click a button. Or if you want to do it the old-fashioned way, drop them a cheque in the post. Whichever specific good cause you choose, you can be sure that your money will be accepted with gratitude and will be spent in accordance with your wishes.

No fuss, and you don’t have to have your face painted or wear a piece of red plastic on your nose.

Loss of trust on pensions

From: Peter Asquith-Cowen, Anlaby, Near Beverley.

WITH reference to Simon Read’s article “Pension freedoms will bring chaos” (The Yorkshire Post, January 31) which I thought was very good, however, haven’t we been here before?

Ever since Mrs Thatcher’s “tamperings” with the pensions industry via the 1980 Social Security Act – which ended the practice of linking state pensions to earnings or prices, whichever was the higher – ordinary working people have seen their financial security in old age eroded and scandalously abused by both the Tories and Labour.

Is there any wonder that trust in politicians is at an all-time low?

Talk about 
a rip-off

From: Terry Duncan, Bridlington.

UNTIL last weekend, I had a fancy mobile phone which provided me with emails, texts, lots of Google information etc, costing me a monthly contract fee of £35.

However, my better half suggested all I needed a phone for was to make contact with or to our family.

So this past Saturday I shopped around, bought a £10 phone and spent another tenner on a pay-as-you-go voucher from EE which encompassed several companies.

On leaving the shop an assistant told me that I will 
get 28 minutes talk time for my money. I checked all the other providers and each was much the same.

So, if I wanted a chat with my daughter, at 40p a minute, it would cost no more than 28 minutes, so it meant my chat would cost me the whole £10, according to the mobile phone company.

Beware all you OAPs out there, when you buy a voucher at your supermarket. Rip off!