Poverty and illness thrive on austerity

two issues reported recently demonstrate the abject failure of the coalition Government’s austerity measures.

First, it is announced that a major outbreak of rickets is blighting the lives of many, and especially the young, in the East End of London. Allied to this is a dramatic increase of malnutrition among children throughout the country.

Malnutrition and rickets should not be occurring in 21st century Britain. However, because of Government policies that only benefit two per cent of the population, the twin scourges of 18th and 19th century Britain are back with a vengeance. They will remain as long as workers have to rely on food bank handouts to make ends meet.

Also, draconian cuts in welfare benefits and the introduction of the “bedroom tax” have impoverished millions of the less fortunate, the disabled, sick and unemployed. The consequence being that the gap between rich and poor in our grossly unequal and unfair society has never been greater. To alleviate this misery and ill health for many, we need a government committed to paying workers a living wage instead of the derisory minimum wage.

The “bedroom tax” needs repealing and welfare benefits increasing. This to be paid for by a) withdrawal from the EU b) non-replacement of Trident nuclear missiles and c) investment in manufacturing to reduce the mammoth balance of trade deficit and create meaningful, well-paid employment opportunities.

From: Dr J P Whiteley, Pool in Wharfedale.

TIM Mickleburgh writes (The Yorkshire Post, November 20) that he will be voting for Ed Miliband as he is on the side of ordinary people. Would that be the same Ed who gave 2p to a beggar or has trouble with bacon butties, that staple of the working man?

A week is, as they say, a long time in politics. After the Emily Thornberry debacle, perhaps he will now change his mind.

At the present time all politicians seem remote from ordinary people but with the Tories, Lib Dems and Ukip what you see is what you get. The Labour leadership, however, has a massive disconnect from its core vote. It is dominated by a middle class metropolitan elite.

The ordinary Labour voter is nothing more than cannon fodder for these Islington champagne socialists.

Victim faces Evans appeal

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

CHRIS Brook rightly points out that, by showing contrition, Ched Evans would weaken his appeal against his rape conviction (The Yorkshire Post, November 22). Appealing, however, indicates that this man (I use the term loosely) is prepared to put his victim through the humiliation of court proceedings once again.

Belatedly, the directors of Sheffield United have had second thoughts and struggled to a level higher than that of the bottom line. Would their first thoughts have been quite so sanguine and forgiving had one of their own been subjected to comparable Neanderthal attentions?

Chris mentions the convictions of two other footballers and asks if the type of crime is what determines the public response. I believe it is, but admit that I had never heard of them, so clearly, publicity must pay a part – and why not?

In the end, perhaps we must accept that some of us are closer to the primeval swamp than others; that there are some males who should not be allowed in mixed company, unless supervised or heavily sedated.

Ice cream memories

From: June Wolfe, Halifax.

I DO wish success to the hardworking dairy farmers who have had to diversify and turn their surplus milk into ice cream.

I am sure they are all delicious, but how many readers out there remember Stones of Jersey ice cream?

It was probably before the war and I would be very young at the time, but no visit to Jersey would be complete without a Stones ice cream.

There was always a long queue right down the street, but it was well worth wait as it was super.

Or, has time dimmed my memory?

From: Nat Wendel, Hull.

IT might have passed Mike McGowan by (The Yorkshire Post, November 22) but Yorkshire 
is in competition with other regions, not least London, 
where, for example, transport and arts spending per head 
is hugely more than we get up here.

It’s only right that Yorkshire folk want a little more fairness 
in the way the money is 
handed out. Yorkshire First 
is a breath of fresh air when it comes to standing up for Yorkshire, so good luck to 
them.

Remember road rules

From: Roger M Dobson, Crosshills, Keighley.

Being a driver of 50 years experience or more my patience is being continually tried by drivers who appear to drive vehicles to which no indicators are fitted.

Also, headlights are for driving in the dark and bad weather conditions, not in bright sunshine. And, believe it, or not there are rules for negotiating roundabouts.