Miliband’s failure is Tories’ gain

ED Miliband must realise too late the true significance of the elections on May 5. Appealing to the Lib Dems now does not hide his weakness over AV and the Scottish elections (Tom Richmond, Yorkshire Post, May 14).

Miliband’s failure on AV is a tragedy for progressive politics in England. He was unable to convince his party of the inevitable dire consequences of a No to AV vote. This lack of leadership has given the Tories what they most wanted – future parliamentary elections with a reduced number of MPs, larger constituencies with seriously re-drawn boundaries, run on “first past the post.”

In other words, an electoral system even more heavily biased towards the Conservatives. Miliband’s inability to carry his party and voters with him has created mountainous obstacles to his party’s electability.

His failure to rally the Scottish Labour vote contributed to an historic run-away victory for the Scottish Nationalists. If Scotland were to become independent, it is hard to see how Labour would ever regain power at Westminster.

Behind the question of local council seats won or lost lies the Labour leader’s strategic failure and inability to persuade his party. Labour needs to tackle these issues internally and rationally, without resorting to abuse of all the other parties.

Our debt of care to elderly

From: Barrington Lawlor, Church Croft, Lofthouse.

I WAS more than saddened and somewhat angry to read (Yorkshire Post, May 13) of the intention to close some of our local care homes. Over the years, I have had involvement with one of the homes in question, this being Dolphin Manor in Rothwell.

My father was cared for by the wonderful dedicated staff at Dolphin Manor and each member of staff did far beyond their required duty to look after him and all the old people who lived within the home.

This was one of the homes where everyone helped to make every day a little different to that of the previous day, holding games and events with musical evenings and special days for its residents.

Holidays to the seaside were available to all and the residents loved the change of scenery and the chance to be out and about once again if only for the day.

We have to ask the question why closures of such establishments can affect so many of our old people, many of whom fought wars that we should live in comfort and freedom?

Yet we cannot repay the debt and allow these proud old citizens to live out their limited days with decent professional care.

We can find the money to send to other countries when they have their disasters, and scandalous amounts to Pakistan, but the real disaster for this country is our treatment of the more frail senior citizens.

Yes, it is true that they will have care visitors calling, but from my experience this is for a limited amount of minutes per day and then they are left to fend for themselves again until the next day.

We owe these old people a degree of care. Whoever signs the closure notice should hang their head in shame.

Madeleine stunt by PM

From: Peter Broadley, Broadley & Co, West Vale Chambers, Stainland Road, Greetland, Halifax.

I CONFESS that I am outraged that an already overstretched and underfunded police force is being directed by our popularity- seeking Prime Minister to get involved in the search for missing Madeleine McCann.

The disappearance, which occurred in Portugal, and is therefore nothing to do with the British police, has already been investigated by the Portuguese Police and by private investigators, using some of the millions raised by the McCann publicity machine.

I wonder if “Call me Dave” will be as enthusiastic to let Scotland Yard get involved in the Ben Needham case, another young child who disappeared many years ago while on holiday on a Greek island?

Squeezed by prices

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

OUR Prime Minister, David Cameron, promised a fair deal for the people of this country a year ago. Now is the time for him to put a cap on the deals being offered by the utility providers and the supermarket multi-billion profiteers like Tesco.

While the gas and electricity providers reap in super money, the people of this country are left feeling the poorer.

Likewise at our Tesco store (Yorkshire Post, May 14), we see prices creeping up weekly shop after week. Instead of offering three for the price of two, why don’t they just give all of us a fair deal on every item?

Spending not the answer

From: David H Rhodes, Keble Park North, Bishopthorpe.

WITH reference to JW Smith’s letter (Yorkshire Post, May 12) regarding Gordon Brown’s record, first as Chancellor of the Exchequer and then as Prime Minister, it is unarguably factually correct. All too often the national sport seems to be the denigration of a person who is / was in high office.

I would suggest that JW Smith’s letter should have a Part Two to it, and this to take the form that many people can achieve great things with unlimited funds but the art is to achieve great things with a limited budget.

Using one of his topics only, that of schools, it is protested that the quality of education is dependent upon modern buildings and facilities.

As to the buildings – look at the age of many university colleges and many schools in the private sector most of which are held in the highest esteem.

Should any failings then be levied at under-achieving lecturers and under-motivated pupils? An outside loo will still serve the same purpose as an indoor one.

Held to ransom

From: John Watson, Hutton Hill, Leyburn.

I THOUGHT the country was in a recession.The rail unions don’t think so judging by the settlement they have reached with their employers over their recent pay claim.

It seems Network Rail has become a victim of the most blatant blackmail ever seen in industrial relations by the threat from the union to withdraw labour while the Olympic Games are taking place. It is time David Cameron took a leaf out of Maggie Thatcher’s book and legislated for strike votes to only be implemented if more than 50 per cent of members vote.

It would be a vote winner.