YP Letters: Bernard Ingham is right about culture of political correctness

The article by Bernard Ingham (The Yorkshire Post, August 29), although tongue in cheek, has more than a ring of truth about it.

The thread of “political correctness” runs through much of modern society, a great deal of which is engineered to suit a minority of people who it seems are bent on their own agenda and in turn lowering standards in Britain for their own benefit.

Sir Bernard reflects in his comments in large part what many in the middle and older generations think and talk about, as they miss the days of civility and common sense imbued in us at early stages of education.

Let’s hope this dilution of history and standards can be reversed and those two words, “common sense” return to every day life.

From: Terry Morrell, Willerby.

As usual Sir Bernard Ingham has put his finger right on the spot. The only additional item I would suggest is that racket which perpetrates every public area, so-called ‘music’.

Most of the noise erupting has no tune, no words and doesn’t make sense. Like cigarette smoke, if you are in range it cannot be avoided.

Fracking will be a mistake

From: Anne Stewart, Helmsley.

The opinion piece from CPRE’s Jules Marley (The Yorkshire Post, August 28) was very uplifting. How right she is.

Fracking will industrialise our beautiful countryside wherever it is, not just here in Yorkshire.

There must come a time when we say enough is enough and realise we can’t just continue to destroy the natural world for short-term gain for a callous industry.

From: Josephine Downs, Swinton, Malton.

Plaudits are due to Jules Marley of Yorkshire and Humberside CPRE for the welcome dose of realism in her recent response in answer to pro-fracking advocate, Lorraine Allanson.

To develop a fracking industry at scale would undoubtedly have a marked negative impact on our county. To try to pretend otherwise – by using the very few existing conventional gas wells as examples – is simply pulling wool over our eyes.

We should indeed be insulating all our buildings to a much better standard and implementing other energy efficiency measures before unleashing a new fossil fuel industry on an already overheating planet.

All power to the elbow of Malton mayor, Paul Andrews, who is mounting a legal challenge to the Government on its plans for fast-tracked fracking.

Trump has 
no class

From: Brian Sheridan, Lodge Moor, Sheffield.

Like MK O’Sullivan, I would like to see and hear as little as possible of Donald Trump (The Yorkshire Post, August 27).

However, we are talking about the most powerful man on the planet and The Yorkshire Post is much more than a regional newspaper. It has a duty to report the activities of this dreadful man in all its squalid detail.

The sad passing of Senator John McCain highlights the excesses of the US President. Trump’s well-documented dismissal of McCain’s capture and torture during the Vietnam war – “I like men who don’t get caught” – which coming from an alleged serial draft dodger, was about as crass as you can get. McCain was respected by Republicans and Democrats alike because he had class; something Trump never had.

Bill won’t cut premiums

From: Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

The problem with the Civil Liability Bill (Steve Teale, Motoring, The Yorkshire Post, August 25) is that it is totally misguided and ill-thought through.

Overwhelming insurance industry evidence shows that personal injury claims are not behind the high cost of motor premiums. The cost of these claims to insurers has fallen dramatically in recent years, while vehicle repair costs and tax have soared.

Any savings for motorists from the Bill will be in exchange for a reduction in the right to redress for injuries, which undermines the whole purpose of compulsory insurance. Meanwhile, insurance companies will secure hundreds of millions of pounds in additional profits because they won’t have to pay full and fair compensation.

The Bill also seeks to slash compensation payments for people with the most catastrophic injuries. People with life-changing brain or spinal injuries and their families will not be grateful for a £35 saving on a motor policy when the money for their care and living costs runs out.

If the Government wants to do something useful it should work on an outright ban on calls and texts which encourage dishonest people to make claims for injuries they do not have.

Strip leader 
of Nobel Prize

From: Jean Lorriman, Penistone Road, Waterloo, Huddersfield.

I am deeply saddened by Aung San Suu Kyi’s failure to help with the dreadful plight of the Rohingya Muslims – who are fleeing to Bangladesh to safety but living in dreadful conditions.

The pictures on the news programmes make for harrowing viewing. I cannot believe that a stoic, well-educated and humane woman, who I have always admired, is allowing this to happen.

The Nobel Prize award should be taken from her as she is no longer worthy of this honour.