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State interference

What a perverse world we live in. The tragic case of little Alfie Evans has seen a call for an end to the State’s right to overrule a parent’s wishes in determining what is right for their child. A rejection of the State’s right to overrule a parent was also part of the campaign waged in support of the parents of Charlie Gard and that of Ashya King.

However, what strikes me as an odd is the way in which we earnestly expect our politicians to actively intervene in other matters which might well come under the heading of a parent’s role. I’m thinking of the so called obesity epidemic and the call to legislators to ban fast food outlets from operating within 400 metres of a school. Leaving aside the economic folly of such a move, there is also the small matter of whether it would work.

When I attended Euclid Street School I followed a well worn path of squeezing through a railing at the end of the playground in order to make a speedy visit to Grays cake shop in Groundwell Road. Laden with Chelsea buns, lardy cake and doughnuts I would return to the playground where the spoils were distributed to the waiting boys. I can confirm that despite this being a daily venture there was hardly a boy in school who would qualify to be called Billy Bunter.

We were ‘poor’ kids compared to today’s poor who all appear to have sufficient funds to own a mobile phone, and yet we never starved and a ‘free school dinner’ was the main meal of the day. Sweets and chocolate were special treats and you certainly did not snack between meals. Parents ruled and children obeyed, that was how it was and everyone accepted it.

Today the demand for State intervention has reached absurd levels. Political leaders are expected, indeed it is demanded of them, to provide a solution for every problem identified. The State is being asked to take over from the family as the major decision maker, the problem is that the State is not able to guarantee their intervention will have any long term positive effect, only that it will produce a good sound bite headline.

More or less State intervention – it’s a tough choice, perhaps it’s best we leave it to the State to decide!

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon

What’s the point?

After a lifetime of using my vote at local and general elections, I am seriously thinking about giving it a miss this Thursday.

The same old promises about what they will or not will do. After they are voted in, a sudden bout of amnesia attacks their minds and morality until the next time we are summoned to give them the power to break their promises.

Who shall I vote for? Will it make any difference to my family and standard of living if I make that democratic choice? I have my serious doubts and concerns on that one.

I suspect on the day in question I will not change the habit of a lifetime, even if it means marking the ballot paper void in protest. Does anyone blame me? If the democratic vote of over 17 million people on a full Brexit is being ignored, what is the point in voting?

Bill Williams, Merlin Way, Covingham