YP Letters: Pie-in-the-sky Ukip needs to change name

From: John Fisher, Menwith Hill, Harrogate.
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Does his party need a name change?Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Does his party need a name change?
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Does his party need a name change?

THE offer by Nigel Farage, who recently insulted a European Union committee, to keep a sharp eye on any Brexit negotiations would be of little help to Theresa May.

Indeed the words United Kingdom in the Ukip party name could be somewhat diminished by the problems created by a possible independent Scotland and a Northern Ireland facing severe border problems.

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Perhaps Ukip could consider a more appropriate name such as the Party for an Independent England.

This could more accurately reflect some of the promises Mr Farage made to the voters in the recent referendum. Pie-in-the-sky.

From: Richard Godley, Meadowfields, Whitby.

DURING last Wednesday’s PMQs, the Prime Minister twice avoided answering the question as to whether or not she would commit to the continuation of the OAP “triple lock”.

As most pensioners are aware, British state pensions are not over generous and we rank only 21st out of 27 civilised economies. Even the OECD says that workers in the UK have the worst pensions of any major economy and the oldest official retirement age of any country.

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As pensioners make up the majority of persons most liable to vote in the upcoming general election, I suspect that Theresa May’s refusal is subterfuge and only a precursor to upstage Jeremy Corbyn’s backing of the triple lock by announcing a more generous deal for pensioners a little closer to the election and after the Labour Party have published their manifesto.

To promise pensioners a better deal in her manifesto would surely guarantee Mrs May a resounding victory.

Not to do so would alienate a very important demographic, especially when Brexit will release sufficient money to give both pensioners and NHS staff a decent rise.

Care to ask questions

From: Mike Padgham, chair, Independent Care Group, Eastway, Eastfield, Scarborough.

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WITH just one day to go before the local elections, please ask would-be councillors what they plan to do about social care when they seek your vote.

Across the country, fewer and fewer older and vulnerable adults are getting the care they need – Age UK says at least 1.2 million people nationally currently have an unmet care need.

It is therefore vital that social care is a top priority for new councils and that they provide the best care possible for this sector of our community. You only get an opportunity every four years to put your councillors and prospective councillors on the spot about issues that affect all of us.

This time let us make care of older and vulnerable people a priority on May 4.

Don’t bash strike police

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

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ONCE again we have an MP wanting to reopen the wounds the Miners’ Strike left local communities suffering.

It was over 30 years since that disastrous affair. There were faults on both sides but I fear that Yvette Cooper only wants to indulge in yet another “police bashing”.

The officers were under orders and were under severe pressure to keep the way into the coking plant open.

Equally the miners were 
under pressure from Arthur Scargill’s flying pickets to block the route.

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There were only losers and no winners in that incident and I would suggest that MPs let sleeping dogs lie as many of the participants are now long retired or passed on.

Protect cyclists from themselves

From: Paul Morgan, Barton-Upon-Humber.

IN response to Edward Grainger’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, April 27) which referred to earlier letters from myself and others, and opinion pieces regarding cyclists not using cycle ways.

He makes some valid points in general about the poor state of facilities for cyclists in the country, and badly maintained cycle paths, but none of those excuse cyclists not using them.

In my original letter I referred to cyclists not using the paths alongside the A164 between Cottingham and Beverley. This road has good, well-maintained cycle paths, so there is no excuse.

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There are as many potholes on roads as there are on cycle paths, but the consequences for cyclists hitting them are much different. Hitting one on a cycle path could result in a puncture or damaged wheel, but not much worse. Hitting one on a road could result in being thrown into fast-moving traffic with catastrophic results.

Perhaps cyclists need to be protected from themselves. I would have thought personal safety was more important than personal best speeds.

Boris should lay off insults

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

BORIS Johnson is always erudite in his use of language but I doubt if calling Jeremy Corbyn a “mugwump” will do him any favours with the electorate. Most will regard it as an unnecessary insult. Please stick to outlining Conservative policies, Boris.