Readers' letters - July 26

As we celebrate the 70th birthday of Britain’s most popular institution, the NHS, it is important that we focus on its achievements, and learn from them.

What our health service has given us over those many decades is security – freedom from fear that we might not be able to afford the treatment we need. That deep and pressing anxiety is at the heart of the American system, a system that far too many MPs from all the larger parties have wanted to copy.

We should learn from and copy the security the NHS has given us, and extend it to housing and income.

Houses should be regarded not primarily as financial assets but stable, affordable places for people to make their homes.

And we need to bring in a universal basic income, to take away that fear that zero-hours contracts, insecure employment, low wages and swingeing benefit sanctions have inflicted on many households in this country.

Natalie Bennett

Former Green Party leader

brexit

Golden age was mythical

I agree with most of the letter from Steve and Janet Hogger concerning Britain’s departure from the EU (LP Letters, July 24).

The part I must disagree with is when they lay the blame on the older voters.

I am almost 72 and I’m firmly in the Remain camp. Friends and acquaintances from hobbies and interests, who are of a similar age, all agree that it is a huge mistake. Please don’t cast us all in the same mould.

This mythical golden age the Leavers want to return to never existed. When Britain was at its peak in the industrial revolution, we had a domestic supply of coal and iron (no need for trade deals), a pool of labour willing to leave the land and a compliant Empire where trade deals were conducted with gun-boats. All this has gone, the world has turned.

Also let’s not forget the peace dividend.

It is my view that, despite all its many faults, the Europe of 2016 (when we held the referendum) was a much better place than the Europe of 1916.

Further, many decisions that affect industrial Britain are taken in Japan, America, China or India – “Take back control!”

Really?

Regardless of the result of the referendum or whatever debacle is the outcome, I will continue to think of myself as European, as Britain is geographically in Europe and there’s no escaping that.

Peter Foster

Ormskirk

BREXIT

Voice of reason and good sense

I would very much like to thank Steve and Janet Hogger for their article: Too easy to blame EU for our problems (LP July 24). At last, a voice of reason, expressing irrefutable facts without rancour and bile ... just plain common sense. Especially the last paragraph, which says it all: “Can anybody actually point to a single way in which they, or someone they know, have been directly adversely affected by being a member of the EU?”

JOH Voges

via email

NOSTALGIA

Sand artist memories

As author of Ferry Tales, the book about memories of the Fleetwood to Knott End ferry, pictured, which was featured in your Retro pages, I enjoyed reading Bob Winder’s reminiscences of travelling on the ferry during the 1940s, which was prompted by the article about my book (LP Letters, July 19).

During research and in interviews with former passengers for the book, many people spoke with fond affection of the sand artists who used to gather on the beach near the ferry slip to create beautifully sculptured designs, much to the delight of waiting ferry passengers who would throw them coins in appreciation.

These memories are included in the book, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to include everything in the article. I hope this answers Mr Winder’s criticisms.

Angela Norris

via email

city centre

Power washers for Fishergate

I totally agree with D Rhodes, Fishergate is a disgrace (LP Letters, July 17).

It looks as though someone has dragged oil over the full distance and around each bin.

Why not supply beggars with power washers to keep their home clean?

Peter Hills

via email