Readers' letters - April 27

Over the next few weeks, we will all be bombarded by politicians making promises they have no intentions of keeping.

I have always felt that politicians do not live in the real world as very few of them have ever held a proper job outside politics.

Most of them have climbed the greasy pole by coming straight out of university and working as a researcher or bag carrier for a standing MP then, when they have proved themselves loyal to the party, they are parachuted into a safe seat.

I always thought Alan Johnson came across as a more rounded MP because he had a difficult childhood, married 
and had children while young, and worked as a postman before becoming a MP.

His views were worth listening to, even if you disagreed with him.

Judy Goodwin

Address supplied

politics

Politicians fear ballot power

I recognise that many people do not bother voting at local/regional elections but it is a civic duty, even if one of hope over experience.

In my time I have voted for seven different parties and also for independents – quite the reverse of tribal voters who stick with one party for a lifetime.

I vote on the basis of the character of the candidate and their track record if they are up for re-election.

I also take the trouble to read any manifesto and, by any means available, discover the true intentions of the candidates.

Many politicians lie and that is why democracy requires hustings and always a wide range of candidates for every ward.

There are some councillors who can get things done and manage to have a good impact for the benefit of their constituent.

There are some councillors who do nothing and are best forgotten and should be voted out, even in wards safe for their party. This applies to every party in England.

Corbyn is leading his party over the cliff and they are so obsessed with multiculturalism, anti-racism, pacifism, and overseas aid that they have no time left to think about helping ordinary families with basic issues such as good education and libraries and bus services.

In the past, I have voted Green and also Lib Dem and, though I am in favour of diverse groups coming together to run councils wisely, I cannot support either of these parties. Firstly, it signals support for the so-called soft Brexit strategy and, secondly, neither party considers immigration a problem and the uncomfortable fact that England is overcrowded and cannot cope with the massive population increases we are now seeing.

Amongst other parties, I must choose carefully as we do not live in a perfect world and I might have to vote for a party that I do not normally support, simply because I have no choice, and I must bite my lip and accept there is still honour in doing the right thing for our country.

Whatever your opinion, go and vote and take part in our great democracy, warts and all. It only takes a few minutes and, believe me, all politicians fear the power of the ballot box.

Edward Johnson

Address supplied

politics

My top priority is the NHS

So now we come to the big one. The General Election, where the people decide which political party, or which party leader, they trust the most. Which one is telling the truth?

But let’s put the personalities to one side for a moment, and consider what issues we as individuals feel strongly about.

Everyone has issues they feel are more important than others.

For me, the top priority is the future of our NHS.

Do we want to have a health service that is the envy of the world, as it still was only seven years ago, funded by public money, and treating us all, with the same care and dedication?

Or do we want a health service funded by private money from insurance companies, who put profit for investors as top priority and the patients the least important? I can’t tell anyone who to vote for as that’s up to each of us to decide. But please think about our NHS when putting that X on the ballot paper.

David Honeybell

via email

defence

Nuclear weapon won’t deter war

What a world we live in.

When a man states he is not prepared to engage in the mutual destruction of the world, he is deemed unfit to become the UK Prime Minister. By definition, someone prepared to unleash nuclear warfare is insane. When have threats of retaliation to a madman deterred them from their actions?

Personally, if nuclear missiles were ever unleashed on this country, I would hope to be stood under the first one.

Destruction should be concentrated on the removal of all nuclear arms world-wide, not their proliferation.

Denis Lee

Ashton