Writers let down by their bigoted views

From: Roger Crossley, Fall View, Silkstone, Barnsley.

WHEN I read the four letters (Yorkshire Post, December 26) concerning Nick Clegg’s proposals to end or means-test some pensioner allowances, including the winter fuel allowance and bus passes, one thing struck me loud and clear. They all contained the same level of vindictiveness and bigotry I have come to associate with extremist views, whether it be left or right wing political persuasion.

You get a Labour councillor saying that the Government “have been blinded by ideology rather than implementing solid evidence-based policies”.

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Unbelievable, when the very essence of socialism depends on the ideology of idealism, which relies completely on the good nature and common sense of “the people”, the lack of which is its downfall.

Then you get the assault on Nick Clegg’s personal circumstances including his upbringing and family . This is a typical extremist ploy, making it personal. “Nick Clegg is a privileged posh toff”, so any rational discussion is vetoed to be replaced by an attack on his credentials with the usual scorn and derision, and taking no account of the fact that in his position he has to take into account the “bigger picture”, and that restraint with pension allowances is just one part of an overall strategy for some fiscal control and better use of money.

I personally have no strong political convictions partly because I don’t trust the motivation behind political leanings which have a ‘football fan based’ mentality, and/or, a family tradition of political bias. I am not particularly a fan of Nick Clegg, but reading those letters reminds me of the mindset of certain people entrenched in a certain way of thinking, which is riddled with intolerance and bias.

In my opinion, the question of winter fuel allowances is a moral one. In every city, town and village there are areas of relative affluence. Many of these people know that they can do without the fuel allowance or a bus pass. It is those people who should make the decision whether to relinquish it or not. But they should not be made to feel guilty if they are financially comfortable, and nor should a politician when he is trying to make sense of things. I’d trust him rather than an extremist any day.

From: B Murray, Halifax Road, Grenoside, Sheffield

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I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Nick Clegg’s policy that wealthy pensioners or anybody else should not be on benefits.

As a pensioner myself, I understand what this might mean, but I don’t think that I should be receiving benefits when people on very low incomes are being penalised.

Perhaps a middle of the road solution of pensioners paying a small amount towards prescriptions and bus fares may be the answer.

Abusive fans let down game

From: Gordon S Cooper, Milford Grove, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.

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I WENT along to see the League Cup tie recently between Leeds United and Chelsea. The match itself was good; Leeds played well in the first half, but Chelsea showed their class in the second and in fact played most impressively and deserved to win.

The rest of the evening was a disaster and revealed to me all that is wrong with football. I had a ticket for the West Stand (the main one) at £35 and yet was not allowed to go in at the normal entrance, because some Chelsea fans were also in the stand at the side. I was forced to walk all the way round the ground to get in. There was no warning about this, I was just forced to do so by the police and stewards.

We had a wonderful view near the half-way line and not too far back, but once the match started unless you stood you couldn’t see the game. All the spectators in the Kop were standing all night long. The language and chanting from both sets of supporters was foul and abusive and even people nearby seemed to use the F word as a matter of course. At the end of the match we couldn’t go out the normal way but were herded like cattle through a muddy car park.

We hear from ex-players in particular how it is a very small minority that make the matches unpleasant; kindly add some noughts please, it is more likely the majority. The hatred and aggressiveness in people’s behaviour is mind-boggling.

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Some people when challenged about language say this is the working class way and you have to expect it; I would suggest this is an insult to the working class. There is a working class game called rugby league which is a family game and the atmosphere is totally friendly and wonderful to be in.

Very few women and children were present at this match, which must give serious concern to the football clubs and authorities for the future.

Wiggins’ win not solo effort

From: Jack Coley, Leadwell Lane, Robin Hood, Wakefield.

IS it just me or have I missed the point? Having watched the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, I was bemused when Bradley Wiggins was announced the winner. While his performance in the Tour de France was a magnificent achievement I think it fair to say it was this victory that carried him over the line in the BBC show, followed by his knighthood in the New Year honours (Yorkshire Post, December 29).

However I was always led to believe that the Tour de France was a team event consisting of nine riders per team and a race which would be virtually impossible to win as an individual entrant. Granted that Wiggins also won gold in the Olympic Time Trial, we must remember 28 more golds were won by Team GB.

Because of this I can’t help but feel Wiggins was a team member and that he and his Sky team should have been entered as such. Or is it just me?