YP Letters: Politicians dare not snub will of people over Brexit

IN suggesting that Parliament should ignore the referendum vote, Don Burslam (The Yorkshire Post, July 29) ignores the fact that politics is the art of the possible.

It would not be possible for Parliament, having decided to ask the electorate for their opinion, to then ignore it without inflicting serious damage on the already low credibility of politicians.

Contrary to Mr Burslam’s claim, the referendum was not flawed. It was authorised by an Act of Parliament and, although not ideally conducted, it was won fairly and squarely after a four-month campaign during which any “lies” were thoroughly dissected and debated in the many discussion programmes on television and in the press. For every voter allegedly duped by the Leave campaign, there would be at least as many coerced to Remain by Project Fear.

It is surely indisputable that the majority voted to “take back control” and wish to see limits on immigration, even if this incurs some limited short-term economic disadvantage.

The Remainers are entitled to continue lobbying on any of these issues, within the context of Brexit, but if they believe the latter can be overturned, they will soon find themselves branded the Remoaners!

Don’t punish the innocent

From: David Craggs, Shafton Gate, Rotherham.

MANY moons ago, I remember first as a pupil, then as a teacher, that it was not unknown for a whole class to be kept in at four o’clock because of the bad behaviour of one or two individuals.

Even whole schools were kept in by the headteacher for not singing loudly enough in morning assembly, even though most of the first and second year children (Years Seven and Eight in modern jargon) always sang their hearts out. Fortunately the practice was dropped 40 or more years ago... and rightly so. Why punish the innocent many for the actions of the guilty few?

And yet isn’t this what is happening to the Russian Olympic team? There will no doubt be some of them who are ‘clean’, but will not be allowed to take part. Nowadays we hear a lot about ‘natural justice’, but aren’t these individuals being denied theirs? It is not a good enough answer to say... “but an example must be set to the rest of the world”.

Put an end to family hunger

From: Simon Hopkins, Chief Executive, Turn2us, Shepherds Bush Road, London.

NEW research published by the Trussell Trust brings home the desperate choices facing many families across the UK this summer.

The findings reveal that a fifth of parents will skip a meal during the school holidays so that their children can eat, with the charity estimating that as many as 1.5 million people could be forced to forgo food over the coming weeks.

As a charity fighting poverty in the UK, we hear from families who are struggling with decisions like these every single day. Forty-two per cent of parents told us they are worried about spending more on food for their children during the summer break and 36 per cent are concerned about paying their essential bills at this time. As a result, one in six will be forced to borrow money through credit cards, overdrafts and loans to make it through.

We know that the extra financial costs that the school summer holidays bring create added pressure for families who are already struggling to afford housing, food and other essentials.

It’s clear that more needs to be done to put an end to holiday hunger and we’re working together with the Trussell Trust, and other like-minded organisations, to ensure that support for families is as accessible and prominent as possible.

Koreans have the answer

From: Derek Hollingsworth, Darton, Barnsley.

KARL Sheridan (The Yorkshire Post, August 1) urges the need for a re-think of the EDF Hinkley Point nuclear power plant contract. I suspect we should go to South Korea for help.
 They have 25 nuclear
 generators in use, contributing 23000 MW into their national grid.

Left in dark by binmen

From: Samuel Moore, Midgley, Halifax.

CALDERDALE Council changed their recycling day where I live last week. But they didn’t tell me or leave me a card.

The binmen are erratic about coming into our flats as well. Some fortnights they do, some they don’t.

I have phoned the council many times: a great way to spend up to half an hour on hold if you have the time and patience.

Horrified by TV grammar

From: Jacqueline Ake, Thorner.

I THOROUGHLY agree with your correspondent (The Yorkshire Post, July 24) and am horrified by the misuse of English by many presenters and others on TV and radio.

Some examples: Stood instead of standing; Invite, as a noun; (H) aitch; Me and Fred; Snuck? Where did that come from? The use of can and may etc.

Hope the US shows sense

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

READING of Donald Trump’s reply to a Muslim father about the death of his soldier son, I become even more frightened of the possibility of him having his finger on the nuclear button. Surely the American people have more sense than to allow that?