Move afoot to lead UK into isolation

Dick Lindley might well urge readers to embrace the absurd conclusion that the only way to stop migrants from claiming benefits is to leave the EU (The Yorkshire Post, November 8).

However, his thinly veiled diatribe against the present German Chancellor and the nation she represents confirms yet again that the real intention of the anti-EU brigade is to isolate Britain from the social and political development of our continent and thereby render us irrelevant on the world stage.

Recognising the enormous contribution this country made to the cause of freedom and democracy in the wars of the last century leads pro-Europeans to urge Britain to take a leading role in the EU.

Twenty-five years ago we rejoiced as the Berlin Wall fell and the Tory government of that time urged the countries of eastern Europe to throw off the yoke of communism, embrace capitalism and cement their rejoining of the free world through membership of an expanded EU.

Well, they followed that advice and freedom of movement is part of the deal. The arrangement which makes it possible for our youngsters to move freely around a largely peaceful continent and enjoy cultural exchanges without the fear of having to meet their German counterparts on the battlefield.

That said, there does have to be change. Migrants should not get immediate access to benefits. Furthermore Germany needs to agree to a completely open market in finances and services as well as goods and labour.

Our leaders should not hesitate to use our massive financial contribution to the EU as leverage to obtain the enhanced liberalisation needed.

However, it would be folly to believe the good ship Britannia can prosper by drifting round the world in search of transient alliances. We live in the 21st century, not in Palmerston’s 19th.

Injustice to
the elderly

From: Mrs Wendy Abbott, Boulsworth Avenue, Kingston Upon Hull.

the article by Father Neil McNicholas clearly identifies the injustice of the care system (The Yorkshire Post, November 7).

Twenty years ago, my then mother-in-law had to move into residential care owing to similar circumstances. She did not own a property but was fortunate to have a private pension.

At the time the residents who were in receipt of Income Support received a token payment returned to them to pay for personal items such as hairdressing and other sundries.

However, because my mother-in-law had a private pension we were told she was not entitled to this benefit and that any extras required would have to come out of her savings, which were modest to say the least.

Reading Mr McNicholas’s article it would appear very little has changed. It is very unfair that elderly people who can no longer look after themselves should be penalised in this way.

A pensioner myself, I have always lived in the hope that eventually something would be done to correct this injustice. Yet I doubt that any government will ever redress the issue because the money that is being taken from these people is being used to support those who do not have the means to pay.

In most cases the sums involved are modest amounts that these people have saved in order to retain their independence in old age. This is a gross injustice to the elderly people in this country.

Fixed term for Parliament

From: Chris Foote-Wood, Prospective Parliamentary Lib Dem candidate for Richmond, Brook Terrace, Darlington.

Tom Richmond is wrong to characterise the introduction of a fixed, five-year term for Parliament as a temporary expedient (The Yorkshire Post, November 8).

He admits that the previous arrangement whereby a general election could be called at any time (to the advantage of the ruling party) produced “endless – and destabilising – speculation”. That is precisely why the fixed term should remain.

A snap general election can still be called at any time if a vote of no confidence is passed and no new government is formed within 14 days. So a government without a majority could not “limp along” for five years, as Mr Richmond speculates.

No one party has gained a majority of votes cast at any election since the war. For one party now to form a government with just 30 per cent of the vote would be hugely unrepresentative and simply undemocratic.

Rugby heading
way of soccer

From: John Watson, Hutton Hill, Leyburn.

I WAS always afraid that one day rugby union would adopt some of the less tasteful aspects of football.

This was born out during England’s game with the All Blacks at Twickenham.

The Haka was nearly drowned out by the singing of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot coming from the stands. This showed a lack of respect.

There is another facet of football which is creeping into rugby and cricket, and that is the habit of kissing and cuddling your team mates.

I was brought up where good manners and respect for others was paramount, and the opposite of this can sometimes be very ugly and is to be deplored.