Politicians understand nothing

From: John Marsh, West Close, Carleton, Pontefract.

NICK Clegg’s comments regarding the Tottenham riots as being “opportunist and unnecessary” are typical of the narrow and simplistic views that have always prevailed within the political landscape (Yorkshire Post, August 9).

It is this lack of insight into any problems, be they domestic or international, that indicates that no politician ever has, or ever will understand the underlying causes of anything.

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By judging and condemning actions of violence without understanding the milieu in which they germinate means that the contributing factors do not need to be addressed. This is true also of the so called “war on terror”.

Such narrow views will guarantee that the same problems will always remain.

Failure of British justice

From: A Collier, Burlington Court, Gordon Road, Bridlington.

I USED to think that British justice was the fairest and best in the world.

Not any more.

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The latest is the utterly unbelievable case involving Sharon Shoesmith, the former head of children’s services in Haringey.

Some fuddy-duddy judges at the Supreme Court have decided she was unfairly dismissed from her post as she was not given the right to state her side of the case, her lawyers stating that she was the victim of a flagrant breach of contract of natural justice. I find that incredible.

During my working life if I had not done my job in a satisfactory manner I would have been sacked,.

Her department failed, in my opinion, to protect Baby P. Now, she is likely to get around £1m in compensation.

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I cannot add more comment on this situation. I am speechless!

Our culture is vanishing

From: David W Wright, Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

IAN McMILLAN (Yorkshire Post, August 2) has emphasised the drift into the “Hiya” culture and the use of slang and dumbed-down words.

In the same Yorkshire Post edition, we read that almost a third of 11-year-olds could be leaving primary school this summer without a good grasp of reading, writing and maths.

This serious situation has been developing over many years due to a dumbed-down educational system, the bad influence of “Americanism”, and the decline of standards in behaviour, dress, and the constant poor exhibitionism of our entertainers and people in the public eye.

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Why do audiences now have to squeal, scream and behave like wild animals, while the “entertainers” dress down and turn out like tramps?

The use of PCs, Blackberries etc and the texting of messages which have been reduced down to abbreviations is symptomatic of the wider issue of declining standards which starts in the home and carries through to school and employment.

What happened to the Ministry of Culture?

A master of letters

From: E Evans, Barleyview, Wigginton, York.

I LOOK forward each day to read the letters, most of which reflect my personal views.

However, today I feel I must respond to the letters from Messrs Snowden and Duncan (Yorkshire Post, August 4).

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The former’s erudite use of the English language put us all to shame. I wonder how many of our school leavers with their vast numbers of qualifications would understand, let alone be able to write such a letter. It is extremely pleasurable to see such a letter in print.

As for the letter from Mr Duncan again I agree wholeheartedly with his comments.

Whenever my wife and I are at the theatre, restaurant or on a day trip, we are always amazed and disappointed at the standard of dress which most males adopt. We keep hoping that shirts and ties and decent trousers (not jeans) and polished shoes return in fashion!

Finally, another of my pet subjects, could any reader/cyclist please explain why when cyclists are riding their bikes on the pavements, they totally refuse to warn pedestrians by ringing their bells!

Public views over Europe

From: TW Jefferson, Station Road, Hensall, Goole.

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BERNARD Ingham (Yorkshire Post, August 3) asks what kind of Europe we want and concludes that we don’t really know. If he is right, it is hardly surprising, given the dearth of reliable information.

For instance, do we really know whether the single market actually works? According to the European Commission, it costs more to administer than the extra revenue it generates, and according to John Redwood, it gives us no better deal than we are entitled to under existing international trade treaties. But where is the conclusive information?

Sir Bernard is probably right to say that most people would be happy to remain in the EU if we had “a different kind of Europe”.

But common sense tells us that the EU is not going to compromise its basic unrelenting aim of “ever closer union” just for us.

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For this reason, one half of electors, according to a recent opinion poll, believe we should withdraw from the EU.

That opinion poll was not just a “flash in the pan”. It reflects the settled mood of the nation that well over half of us are not happy with the status quo, and it is up to the mainstream politicians to interpret public opinion and bring forward practical policies that reflect that opinion.

Alternatively, if they are arrogant enough to believe the public has got it wrong, they should explain and keep explaining until the opinion polls tip the other way.