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Beware of dangers the Conservatives pose
Hidden in a short paragraph in the apparently innocuous Tory manifesto is a prmise to “look at” the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the Courts; the functioning of the Royal Prerogative; the role of the House of Lord. Typically this is vague, like all Johnson’s promises, but there is a clear underlying threat here. The Tories want to limit judicial review, take even greater control of the Royal Prerogative, restrict Parliament’s ability to order its business so that only the executive can dictate business and to cut further the House of Lords role as a revising chamber.
What they seem to want is an elective dictatorship reinforced by voter ID requirements designed to supress the votes of the marginalised along the lines of well tied voter suppression tactics in the US. We are at a very dangerous moment in our democracy. Johnson has already shown his contempt for our constitution – the unlawful progation of Parliament was just the most egregious example. If we let him form a government he will trample on the liberal democracy which so many people, Labour, Liberals and Conservatives have built since univeral suffrage was won.
Margaret Phelps
Penarth
Labour’s proposals are unaffordable
Having just seen Labour’s Manifesto, I feel impelled to write, drawing your readers’ attention to the reality of the cost of these proposals. Those of my generation remember the years after the war, when everyone would consider whether we could afford to buy something. In these days of easy credit, it may be difficult for some to realise that everyone will have to pay a lot more – either directly in extra taxes or indirectly through higher prices – to pay for the promises made by Jeremy Corbyn.
I have seen various estimates – in billions, which does not mean too much to the average man – but translated into blunt figures means an extra £40+ per week for everyone to pay.
It seemed to me a very apt question asked of Jeremy Corbyn the other night, “Where is the money coming from?”
Finally he admitted that he would have to borrow. This country’s debts are already high. I feel his proposals are quite unrealistic and unaffordable.
Hazel Walker
Middlesbrough
Vote to help spread share ownership
Most voters have never possessed any shares in any of the companies and corporations which control almost all activities in Britain, especially those of finance.
It seems strange, in a so-called Democratic Age, that they do not use that vote, won at such sacrifice, to spread share ownership much more widely across the population, just as our better ancestors struggled to spread the right to vote.
This is a matter of principle, but there would be great practical advantages, when some shareholders actually knew how their investments were being used.
Under Conservative rule, almost all the nation’s assets are owned by shareholders, banks and prisons, weapons and armaments, railways and schools, yet the shareholder plays no part in any activities, for good or ill.
The shareholder looks at the share price, and wonders if he should move investments, from one industry to another, as income without involvement.
The employee is involved in the operations of the corporation. The shareholder has no other interest than the steady stream of dividends, which might be his regular income, from cradle to grave, and his inheritors, without any national concern beyond personal profit.
Conservative voters are keen on privatisation, but it seems a silly opinion.
CN Westerman
Brynna
How to help keep Christmas magical
Christmas is a magical time for families from South and Mid Wales to enjoy all the lovely things about the festive season – from decorating the tree to visiting Santa’s Grotto to spending time with your loved ones. But when you’re a child going through cancer treatment, that’s all at risk.
I work for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and we’ve kick-started our Christmas campaign this December to highlight how cancer can cost children their Christmas. We are now asking the public for their support so that we can be there for these families helping to keep them together this festive season, and beyond.
With the community’s support, donations will help fund CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home service, which provides free accommodation for families near hospitals, so they can be close to their child whilst facing cancer this Christmas. Your support will also mean CLIC Sargent social workers, based in hospitals and out in the community can be there to provide practical, emotional and financial support.
As well as donating, there are other ways the community can support children and young people with cancer this Christmas, from collecting stamps to visiting the charity’s online shop for Christmas shopping.
As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to say a personal thank you to everyone in the community who has supported CLIC Sargent this year.
Your help and generosity means CLIC Sargent can continue to be there for more children and young people from South and Mid Wales facing cancer.
To donate to CLIC Sargent’s Christmas appeal and for more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/christmas, call 0300 330 0803 or text GIVE to 70030 to donate £5.
Cerys Sadler
CLIC Sargent South & Mid Wales Fundraising Engagement Managert
An exercise in stupidity
Re: The Royal Mail – no, I don’t mean Prince Andrew but an even stupider entity.
Apart from being a society for the random scattering of rubber bands, the Royal Mail has now excelled itself in stupidity.
If someone sends you a postcard from abroad, the revenue services of the Royal Mail will extract it, scan it and subject it to examination to ensure that it has the correct postage. Whereupon, they will stick a 2cm x 4 cm black and white label over the stamp to show that it is OK.
Since this increases handling costs, stationery costs and labour costs, and it probably costs
about a quid to do this completely unnecessary exercise, it is
clear that we are paying for it somewhere.
As an exercise in futility and stupidity, this takes some beating and the Royal Mail seem incapable of justifying it.
Peter Sunman
Penylan
