‘Rust bucket’ claim was insult too far

MARGARET Thatcher left office in 1990. During her term as Prime Minister, many businesses failed and of those that survived, many endured severe hardship.

A topical joke of the time was: How to become a small businessman? Answer: Start off with a big business.

On balance, I believe she did far more good than harm – so when it was said she was turning from Iron Lady to rust bucket, I felt this was an insult too far.

“You can’t have a free society without a free Press,” Margaret Thatcher used to say, sometimes through clenched teeth, according to Sir Bernard Ingham (Yorkshire Post, July 27).

Put another way, give them enough rope to hang themselves – which is what some politicians did with their expenses, some bankers should have done after their ineptitude and the Murdoch Press is in the process of doing.

If, for no other reason, we need a Mrs Thatcher to stand up to the EU. Her quality of leadership is something the country desperately needs but is not likely to experience in the foreseeable future.

Tourists’ favourites

From: Mrs Janet Stone, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

MURDOCH and Darcy at the Horses at Work section of Bradford Industrial Museum are the main attraction for coming to the city, not only for me but lots of people, young and old alike.

Get rid of them and you get rid of your tourists.

Just look at the faces on the people interacting with the horses, riding in the carriage – priceless.

These two earn their keep, which is more than you can say for a lot of other council expenditure.

Oh well if that’s what the Bradford Museums and Galleries manager wants, on her head be it.

Does she remember, or even ever know, what these wonderful horses have done for this country?

Take them away and more people will never have the chance to learn.

Say goodbye to your heritage.

The Clydesdale and Shire are both considered rare breeds and, as such, we should be encouraging people to try riding them, driving and showing them.

Many are paid to be in museums and the like as a form of historical tourist attraction, together this will ensure the breeds’ future is bright.

Disabled hit by new tests

From: Kendal Wilson, Whybank Terrace, Tadcaster.

IN the last few days, the assault upon what is termed as the “benefit culture” has reached a new peak, primarily with failure on account of assessments for those claiming incapacity benefit in its dying days with an apparent 1.9 million people now fit for work wherever they may be.

This has also included the unfortunate results for the disabled who have floundered under the ill-informed rigidity of the capability components of these tests.

I believe David Cameron is quietly re-inventing the workhouse. I don’t believe his aim is about saving taxpayers’ money, just simply a latter-day sweatshop.

Within all this we have the mis-assessment of people with disabilities, many assessed with simpleton almost Victorian judgment by poorly trained, badly appointed non-specialised assessors.

The most unethical part of the cuts to disability benefits is the now familiar description of front loading.

Yes, it sounds like a gun, but bring out the facts. It has done damage and more specialised forms of assessment are needed to redress what is turning into a social catastrophe, albeit hidden.

Victory over the giants

From: George Jardine, Mount Parade, York.

WITH reference to Tom Richmond’s column (Yorkshire Post, July 30), I have just this week switched from Scottish Power to the Co-operative Wholesale Society for my energy.

I switched because I believe they give me transparency. I can see and predict exactly what my energy will cost me (assuming unit prices stay the same). And their prices are inclusive of VAT – another ruse the so-called big six are up to.

They also offer consistency – they charge the same per unit irrespective of how much gas or electric I use.

The curious thing was when the man from Scottish Power phoned me to ask why I was changing and who I was changing to, he said: “Ah well, they are too small for us to compete with so I am not even going to try!”

But, meanwhile I’ve scored one small victory over the giants. And it gives me a warm glow to be supporting and part of a non-profit making co-operative.