Timely advice over a referendum

IF I read it right, the suggestions from David Davis MP about how we, the British public, should have our say on our membership of the European Union, seem spot on.

The suggestion that the Government should now put in place legislation for a referendum, the wording of which would call on the Government to re-negotiate the terms on which we are members of the EU, with a view to repatriating a great many decisions to our sovereign Parliament, is absolutely correct.

It would leave our EU partners in no doubt as to where we stand, and pave the way for a further referendum, reflecting the success, or otherwise of the re-negotiations, and allowing the British people an in/out vote. The Government would do well to take Mr Davis’s advice.

Previous accounts?

From: Michael Parker, Deepcar, Sheffield.

IN light of the ongoing public disquiet regarding the expenses of Members of Parliament (Tom Richmond, Yorkshire Post, November 24), I therefore thought that the following article that appears in the May 14, 1853 edition of The Sheffield Times, on page 8, may prove of interest and hence form a basis for further discussion? The title of which is: “New Bill ‘Further’ To Diminish Election Expenses”.

The bill “for further diminishing the expenses of elections of members to serve in parliament” is a novelty, and a clause might be added to prevent canvassing, and all meddling with electors further than making speeches.

There are six provisions in the bill, which was introduced by Mr Craven Berkeley, and Mr Mullings. Should it pass it will not only diminish the expense, but the excitement of elections.

No band is to be engaged to play – no flag exhibited – or the candidates are to be disqualified. A person playing in such a band, or mounting flag, is liable to £10. Any agent of a candidate employed in getting up a band or flag to forfeit £50. The fees of returning officers are not to exceed £10 besides the stamp duty, and in future special constables are only to be paid 3s 6d a day.

It would be interesting to know what your readers make of it.

Rubbish decisions

From: James Colin Smith, Beech View, Fryston Lane, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire.

I REFER to your article on bins (Yorkshire Post, November 23). It’s alright saying we can vote these people out but what about the rubbish service at the moment?

Who on Wakefield Council decided to withdraw the garden refuse collection so early? I have a full bin of leaves that I cannot do anything with.

The trees started shedding them the week before the collection was stopped.

The bin is too big for me at 
78 to lift and why should I now have to start emptying the bin, putting all the leaves into plastic bags and then looking for a disposal place?

I pay my rates and expect some service. Mind you it is probably the same individual who threatened me with a fine for removing diseased branches from my tree.

When I asked what I should have done, he replied that I shouldn’t have bought a house near a tree.

We now have a situation in 
this country where nobody speaks for the ordinary man in the street.

Drinking in the despair

From Nino Hoblyn, North Street, Caistor, Lincs.

TURNING the tap on very slightly you’ll get a drip, drip, drip and after hearing this constant non-stop you will slowly at first begin to go mad, with the final result of you breaking down and screaming and crying out loud for your tormentor to turn the darn thing off.

And that’s exactly what this Government is now doing to each and every adult in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland concerning alcohol, with our pubs closing by the thousand, with a pint of Guinness costing you £3.50 or more and spirits being hammered in price to the hilt. I cannot but scream myself when reading such trash as “Action Urged on Tackling Problem of Cheap Drink” (Yorkshire Post, November 19).

Because believe me when one gets a so-called phantom “Group of Leading Medical Bodies” calling upon the Government as they bleat from their pulpit to hike up again the price of alcohol to a minimum 50p per unit, you begin to know full well that this has got nothing to do with our health.

Farming out compassion

From: Aled Jones, Mount Crescent, Bridlington,

HOW can David Cameron hope to better people’s lot when he can’t even curb the barbaric practices of meat farmers?

Long distance transport is one of the greatest crimes of animal cruelty today.

The Government should pass a strict new law banning this despicable practice altogether.

To think of those poor sheep, pigs and cattle being transported by road and sea for days on end makes me furious.

If we really must transport live animals, let us ensure they have adequate leg room, fresh air, food and refreshment.

A little compassion for sentient farm animals (who feel the same pain and suffering we do) would not go amiss.

Great Britain should be a land of hope and glory for every part of God’s creation.