Helping to strike a balanced view on the issues of the day

YOUR letters page (Yorkshire Post, August 24) encapsulates much of what is relevant in Britain today.

First, that of Marjorie Gill which exploded some modern tendencies to criticise those in our past who really inspired the country when it was needed. One might ask nowadays where is our Churchill, who stuck his neck out when appeasement was the soft option, to fight against the slough of negativity which grips so much of the nation these days?

Arthur Quarmby notes how public administration has developed into a system of creating and maintaining what they call jobs, as the public sector strangles itself with self-inflicted impositions and the Civil Service of which we used to be so proud is overtaken by nonsensical directives, not all emanating from Brussels.

Even the power of MPs and councillors who should restrain this seems unable to do so, perhaps because so many nowadays have little or no experience of commercial work or competitive activity before getting lost in the system. The aforementioned Churchill had the experience from the cutting edge of life in his times and put it to good use.

Geoffrey Bryant reminds us that we are not a nation highly dependant on imports alone, but that our own technical achievements are more than worthy competitors in the rat race of global technology and production, once we set our minds to it and stop complaining about having lost our ability to make things.

Finally, Hugh Rogers, in his dissertation on elderly cyclists, illustrates the intolerance of those behind the wheels of mechanical transport. Why should two people on bicycles not be able to ride sensibly alongside each other as companions when supposedly enjoying the pleasures of the open road?

By that logic, all cars should be reduced to motorcycles so as not to clutter the carriageways on many of our traditional roads, leaving the way clear for essential lorries.

Of course there are too many cyclists who have decided that the rules of the road are not for them, but that is probably far exceeded by the car drivers who feel alike, whether by breaking speed limits, using mobiles, texting and several other offences (including putting their cars in the cyclists’ box at traffic lights). So once again tolerance is needed, perhaps a subject which could be taught at school.

All this shows that the Yorkshire Post, which usually does not follow the habit of printing rabid headlines with heavily-biased articles, is a good buy for anyone who wants a more balanced view on life.

From: Hugh Rogers, Messingham Road, Scunthorpe.

I AM grateful to Brian Sheridan (Yorkshire Post, August 26) for supporting my campaign to shame professional broadcasters and TV anchormen into using more correct English.

But I am afraid I cannot agree to exempt sportsmen as he suggests. A footballer, for instance, particularly one who is eminent or successful, is a behavioural icon for youngsters whether he likes it or not. On the football field, he should respect referees, play fairly and not brawl or spit. If interviewed afterwards, he should use reasonably correct English. That’s all I ask.

Amateur spokesmen (and women) from all walks of life (not just sporting personalities) should adhere to the same standards of grammar as their professional colleagues. Otherwise impressionable viewers, especially children, will come to believe that sloppy grammar is acceptable. It isn’t, as they will find when they start having job interviews.

Pedantry with a purpose, that’s my motto!