Readers' letters - July 5

Still in state of uncertainty
Remain supporters take part in the March for Europe rally in London to show their support for the EU. See letterRemain supporters take part in the March for Europe rally in London to show their support for the EU. See letter
Remain supporters take part in the March for Europe rally in London to show their support for the EU. See letter

It has been just over a week from the Referendum result and many of us who voted for “Remain” are still in a state of shock, and feeling the effects of uncertainty about the future of the UK and its four constituent parts.

In just one week, there has been a disturbing rise in racist attacks that does not bode for the future for ethnic and religious minorities; the collapse of financial markets; the resignation of the Prime Minister and wrangling within the Conservative Party over the leadership race; and the political troubles within the Labour Party.

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Effectively neither HM Government nor HM Opposition is offering us any leadership for the challenging times ahead, but, in contrast, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of Scotland moved quickly to try to protect her country’s place within the European Union after 62 per cent of voters, representing a clear majority, voted to remain part of EU.

The overall result demonstrates the UK is a very disunited country, and it was emphatically not an overwhelming endorsement for “Vote Leave”.

With vast regional disparities in the results, I envisage only England and Wales being outside the EU in 2018. Also, Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to “Remain” with 98 per cent, which is highly significant.

For my part, I simply cannot imagine living outside the EU, which in my view offers additional protection against direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, belief or religion, gender orientation, age, disability or sexual orientation, to national laws.

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The nadir of the “Vote Leave” campaign must surely be the flying of two planes with the banner “Take control, vote leave” three times over the Trafalgar Square gathering for what would have been the 42nd birthday of the late murdered MP Jo Cox, as her husband Brendan, their children, along with several of her colleagues and Malala Yousafzai were paying tribute to her. It was disrespectful, insensitive and tasteless! Who at Vote Leave HQ is going to take responsibility for that? Jo had urged voters not to “fall for the spin” that leaving the EU is the only way to deal with immigration concerns and she had stressed that Britain has reaped many benefits from immigration.

Susan Fox, Longton

PM with ‘steel in the spine’

The tectonic power plates are moving quickly after an extraordinary period in British politics.

We have a lame-duck government and no credible opposition.

It is now clear, as some of us argued months ago, that Brexit will damage economic growth and tax revenues. Deficit spending is now inevitable.

What is now required is a Prime Minister who is a pragmatist with steel in the spine.

Theresa May has those qualities in abundance.

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Given Andrea Leadsom’s 25 years working in finance in the City, her performance in the TV debates plus her patriotism and free-market politics, the energy minister would make an ideal partner for May. It is extremely important that the vacuum in British politics is ended, and soon, because of huge international concern.

That is why the Home Secretary, who has very strong support in the parliamentary party, should be installed as leader without a vote. This would end the uncertainty which otherwise will drag on till September. This would be very bad for the nation.

Dr Barry Clayton via email

Return to 1975 agreement

Why is it we cannot revert back to the 1975 Common Market trade agreements? Presumably these have been ongoing since their induction.

Where is the problem?

Barrie Crowther via email

We should all remember them

If the young believe the older generation have compromised their lives for voting to exit the EU, they ought to be ashamed of themselves. On the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the Battle of the Somme, where the cream of our youth were slaughtered, the suggestion is even more reprehensible. Survivors of that and more recent conflicts don’t get the medals they wear just for decoration.

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It would do people good to find out how they earned them, then they might just begin to understand how they and others of their generation (what’s left of them) feel. We will remember those who died, and so should all who reside here. Not to do so is a sin against their sacrifice.

Ernest Lundy, via email

Managers need team support

Sorry Jeremy, the selectors who chose you as the Labour Manager misjudged how most of the team you were forced to pick from never wanted to play for you.

Now they have retired to the dressing room, even some of the recent second eleven have also left the field.

The old club side Jeremy played for, Socialism, was taken over by a previous manager named Blair. His team players morphed into a bland Roy Jenkins SDP-type of side.

They wear the same strip, but have a different formation.

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If a manager cannot field a team, he cannot play the match. Sorry once again Jeremy, but the worse type of support is pity.

Denis Lee

Ashton

Thank you to Heartbeat

On Friday and Saturday, almost 200 young people were screened for undiagnosed heart conditions by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

I would like to say thank you to Heartbeat for hosting the event and to the Sir Tom Finney Soccer School for funding one of the days through donations from last year’s Sir Tom Finney Tribute Dinner which was sponsored by Bowker BMW.

Every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die suddenly from undiagnosed conditions.

Further information about screening and the charity CRY can be found at www.c-r-y.org.

uk

Ruth Lowe

via email