Letters: March 30, 2016

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters. Please note, the Adver will not be printing letters on local political subjects until after the elections in May.

19th century politics

I RECENTLY wrote to Coun Renard to express my concerns regarding the council’s proposals for Swindon libraries.

In his reply he stated: “We have had interest from school and other local service providers.”

I would be interested to know who these local service providers are, as I am unaware of any other public library provision in Swindon apart from that of the council.

He also made the following strange statement: “It is worth noting that in the 19th century Mechanics’ Institutes in Swindon and across the country provided library services and there was a fear that public libraries were unfair competition.”

What exactly is the relevance of this? Who is the present day library service, which we pay for in our council tax, competing with?

Is he suggesting that we return to the Victorian era when railway workers paid for membership of the Mechanics’ library, or is he indicating that he would prefer a privatised service?

In a previous letter I suggested that the Tory Councillors were being very short-sighted in contemplating the destruction of our superb library service.

In the light of this letter I see that they are looking in the rear view mirror and are in full reverse back to the 19th century.

EILEEN GEORGE

Welcombe Avenue

Park North, Swindon

....

How safe in the EU?

I WOULD like to add my deepest sympathy to all the others who have done so for the families and friends of all the killed and wounded in the latest atrocities in Belgium.

On the day before I received a glossy leaflet, very well printed and presented, through my letterbox. This leaflet was folded into three.

One visible side printed on a black background said: “ Leaving Europe would be a leap in the dark.”

The other visible side printed on a red background read: “More jobs, lower prices.”

On the inside there were six points covered. However, on the top right corner was a statement by Sir Hugh Orde, the former president of the Association Of Chief Police Offers and it frightens me.

He said: “Being in Europe makes the UK safer. It gives us access to the European Arrest Warrant, which helps us fight crime and terrorism.”

It appears that there was a massive lack of communication and sharing of vital information between Belgium and France, which might have helped to prevent the Paris and Belgian terrorist attacks.

The terrorists had valid passports issued by Belgium and France and, under the freedom of movement of EU citizens, were at liberty to go anywhere in the 28 EU countries.

No checks, no border controls, no questions asked, just go where you want, you are an EU citizen.

The “IN” Brigade want us to trust them because we are safer from crime and terrorism (Sir Hugh Orde said so) in the EU.

How safe do you feel?

DN SIMPSON

Graham Street

Swindon

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How can we afford it?

LET me see if I’ve got this right or wrong.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary of Great Britain, stated in the House of Commons that the UK's border controls will be tightened after the atrocity in Brussels .

Not to mention the survivors, many without arms or legs, who will now have to suffer life’s hardships without their physical bodies to survive and earn their living.

Shortly afterwards, two lorry loads of illegal immigrants entered the British Isles – mostly young fit men, unless the national press are all fifth columnists.

According to newspaper reports most of them are now being settled in that utopia of our island.

Terrorists come to mind even to the most liberal conscience.

We have one of the lowest pensions in Europe to mention but one of the most disgraceful negligences of taxpayers’ money to the indigenous population, implemented by the self-interested in control of our country.

How can we afford to take all the world’s needy?

Mr Prime Minister, you are not the public relations officer of a company now. You are in charge of Great Britain. Respect the great office you hold or God help us all.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way

Covingham

Swindon

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In or out a taxing issue

I WONDER how many people realise that corporate tax avoidance is legal under The Treaty Of Rome, and this is the sole reason why the inspector of taxes is unable to collect a single penny of the £52.8bn shortfall in tax receipts over the next five years.

This, therefore, also is why the National Debt will hit £1.71 trillion by 2020.

So much for George Osborne’s smoke-and-mirrors fairy story about the wonderful job he is doing with the so-called “mess” he was left with by Gordon Brown.

One very good reason for the return of our own parliament, by way of a resounding NO vote at the Referendum, is it would free us to tax the corporations to the tune of billions of pounds instead of trying to find pennies from the disabled budget.

IAN HUNT

Hill View Road

Swindon

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Children like to play

I’M SURE a lot of people read the letter complaining about noise from children on a recent visit to a cafe.

Yes, the letter writer is right about parents teaching children respect, and they should listen, but children are children at the end of the day and they like to play.

I don’t know what kind of childhood the writer had had, but surely they must have had a bit of enjoyment in their life when they were a child, so must understand what children are like in these modern times.

S HARRIS

Swindon