Stop foreign aid to find the money for British flood defences

From: Keith Bagot, The Terrace, Honley, Holmfirth.

I AM writing in answer to the letter penned by Roger Simpkin (Yorkshire Post, January 8). I totally agree it is ridiculous not to keep our waterways clear, especially in this day and age with climate change.

I am all for these young men who are on community service to help assist in keeping our waterways and systems clear, but I fear that health and safety issues may well put a stop to that idea.

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It is also time we had a policy change and stopped giving aid to these overseas nations. We’re still giving to India, even after they have told us they no longer want our aid. The old phrase “charity begins at home” comes to mind here. Now why not stop all overseas aid until our own house is in order, then and only then, give aid to those that truly need it.

Here at home in the United Kingdom we have many problems of our own, that is even without this recession. We have major problems here in Yorkshire and across the UK with flooding. This is ruining people’s homes, businesses, livelihoods and their lives all because of our Governments drive for building properties, and destroying the underground natural watercourses. Let’s put all of our overseas aid into sorting our own problems here in our own country before sticking our nose into other countries affairs.

We need our ditches, streams, culverts and rivers kept clear. We need all sluice gates we see dotted about (especially in our region) serviced regularly and in working order, with an action plan if needed to open/close them as and when required.

We also need to upgrade our drainage systems in some areas, such as in Malton and Horton which were flooded due to the drains not being able to cope with the amount of rain they had, which has been highlighted through our local and national media. This all costs money, lots of money. Money apparently the Government does not have, so why are we giving away urgently needed money, which is desperately needed here in the United Kingdom, to far off countries overseas.

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If this Government carries on the way it is we are going to end up a Third World country, needing overseas aid from other countries in the future. This is only one aspect of this Government’s folly, or should I say inept attitude.

The Prime Minister David Cameron shouted from the hilltops and anywhere else he could about his “Big Society”. Trouble is, his Big Society is also in trouble, due to all the cuts that councils have to make all across the country. Why can’t this man and his Government see what is happening here in this country. We all know that he tells us they are a listening Government, that’s rubbish. I and many others in the country must think they are blind also, if they cannot see what is happening here !

From: G Ellison, Hawthorne Avenue, Dronfield.

A SIGN that posh boy David Cameron has not lived in the 
real world is his statement 
that food banks for the less 
well-off are part of the “Big Society”. Not bad for a millionaire who has not earned through hard work.

The less well-off, the unemployed, sick etc are not on the Tory manifesto.

From: D Wardell, Malton Road, York.

A VERY easy way to bring prosperity to Britain.

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1. Leaving the EU – this will 
save £58m a day. 2. Stop all donations to Africa, China 
and India. 3. Stop all charities sending our monies to other countries.

It’s easy when you think about it, isn’t it?