YP Letters: At last a chance to shape our future

ON Radio 4’s Farming Today programme, Owen Paterson, the Tory MP for North Shropshire, asked farmers to contact their organisations and submit ideas for the formation of the British Agricultural Policy.

He wants agricultural producers to discuss and decide how subsidies should be granted and to define policies. He wants farmers to decide British farming policy for the first time in a generation.

This is one small example of how we could shape our future. For too long, we have been treated like children who are told what to do. We now have the opportunity to act like adults, in a democracy, to shape our future.

I believe in an outward-looking, dynamic economy where everyone’s standard of living increases.

I love the vibrancy of London. I want a liberal immigration policy, including a more welcoming policy towards refugees. I want a new industrial revolution to bring the benefits of robotics, nano technology, biotech, new forms of energy production. I want new industries to revitalise the former industrial areas throughout the UK and energise universities.

Other people will have a different view. On some things we will agree and others we will disagree. What is certain is that the old Labour/Tory mould has been broken forever. We need to clarify our thinking and test our ideas through dialogue, debate and argument.

Alternatively, Remain voters can reject the decision; view most of the population with contempt; live in a dystopian fantasy of ‘unleashed toxic forces’ and sink into bitter despair.

For the first time in a long while, it really is up to us.

From: Dr Simon Sweeney, Senior Lecturer International Political Economy and Business, The York Management School, University of York.

YORK MP Rachael Maskell says Brexit is not bound to happen. Anyone who objects should complain to Leave campaigners who implied quitting the EU was like giving up a gym membership and choosing among a few alternative health clubs.

As the UK economy takes a hammering, the realities of leaving become clearer. Lisbon’s Article 50 must be triggered without prior negotiation and withdrawal terms agreed within two years; only then can a UK-EU trade deal be established, probably taking several years. The economy will suffer gravely in a prolonged recession.

MPs should note that referenda have no status in the UK constitution. This one is advisory, not binding. Parliament is sovereign and Article 50 can only be triggered by the Prime Minister, authorised by Parliament. Moreover MPs should not repeal the European Communities Act if they judge this to be contrary to national interest. It is therefore up to Parliament to decide how to respond to the referendum result. MPs may eventually decide that quitting the EU is actually a far worse alternative to staying in.

From: Coun Dale Smith (Con), Wharfedale Ward, Leeds Council.

DON’T blame me dearest grandchildren, for I was one of the 16,141,241 people (48.11 per cent of the votes cast) who voted to remain in the EU.

Bedevilled by the fact that 12,948,018 chose not to vote at all, there is no clear mandate for the 37.44 per cent voting to Brexit. On that basis, rather than see a divided and troubled nation, I have signed the petition: “We the undersigned call upon HM Government to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60 per cent based on a turnout less than 75 per cent there should be another referendum.”

If we champion the sovereignty of the UK Parliament then it has the right and duty to reconsider this petition and the parameters for determination of the referendum and make it retrospective if Parliament so decides.

As a One Nation Tory, I await the debate and its outcome with intense interest.

From: Dr Helen Vos, York.

THOSE voting for the next leader of the Conservative party might wish to consider the attitude of the candidates to matters other than just Brexit, as important as this matter most definitely is.

Only two candidates voted for equality and fairness in voting to allow same sex marriage; shame on Leadsom, Fox and Crabb for wishing same sex couples to be discriminated against and thank you Gove and May for doing the right thing.

For all that Stephen Crabb talks about his disadvantaged childhood, I am unconvinced that he would not push for more cuts to those who are unwell and/or disabled.

From: John Watson, Rowan Court, Leyburn.

NOW there are marches against the referendum result. Don’t people know the meaning of democracy?

Why is there never such a demand to do this at a General Election? I know there was false information from both sides but most of us are grown up enough to make a decision.

It is the sovereignty issue that worries me, but I also want our borders made secure.

From; Martin Fletcher, Flanders Court, Thorpe Hesley, South Yorkshire.

SO people are marching and demanding we stay in the EU. So much for democracy and the Lord help the Tory party at the next election if they fail to leave. And some of the northern Labour MPs.

From: Dr Glyn Powell, Bakersfield Drive, Kellington, Goole.

THE country, at a critical time, remains leaderless and I fear that whoever the new prime minister is, he or she will backslide on pulling Britain out of the EU. Such is the brazen arrogance of our devious politicians.

Similarly, the Labour MPs, instead of taking advantage of Tory leaders fighting like ferrets in a rat-hole, choose to put their career interests before party and country by seeking to remove Jeremy Corbyn as leader.