Letters: April 20, 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.

Brexit myth-busting?

I WANT to address a number of anti-EU letters with some Brexit myth-busting.

One myth that has been peddled by those who support us leaving the EU is that if we leave the Single Market we can just pick up that lost trade with the Commonwealth.

Unfortunately, that isn’t true. The fact is that thanks to our membership, the EU nations buy 45 per cent of the UK’s exported goods and services.

As a result of having the world’s largest trading bloc on our doorstep, the average GDP per capita is in the region of $35,000 a person.

It’s one of the things that make the Single Market the most attractive in the world, not just for the UK but for non-EU members too.

On the other hand, the Commonwealth has an average GDP per capita of one tenth of that – if you take out Canada and Australia it is even lower.

Most people who live in the Commonwealth can’t afford to buy the goods and services we are providing, meaning less demand for them and jobs in Britain being put at risk.

Currently the UK has the best of both worlds with trade deals free of tariffs, duties, and quota with the largest market on the planet, while at the same time as being able to sign new bi-lateral agreements around the world anywhere we want to, just like we did with China.

ALEX HEGENBARTH

Head of Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, Swindon

Political correctness

....

RE marginalised Christians (Steve Jack, Adver. 11/4/16). His letter skims the surface. Below is one of many, many examples.

Recently a NHS therapist was disciplined for giving a book to a Muslim colleague. She lost her appeal against the tribunal’s ruling.

A judge upheld the ruling that the NHS had acted reasonably in disciplining the Christian for:

n Inviting her colleague to church-related events;

n Praying with her (with consent);

n Giving her a book on Christianity and Islam.

Another Muslim accused her of ‘bullying and harassment’ because of the above.

This is part of therapist Victoria Wasteney’s statement: ‘I believe the NHS singled me out for discipline because Christianity is so disrespected. A Christian worship I set up for patients was closed but accommodation for Muslims to practise their faith facilitated and encouraged.’

We live in a country that once prided itself on its freedom of speech which has been reduced by political correctness to a country where, despite endemic levels of violent crime, police spend time arresting leading broadcasters, writers and ordinary Christians for what they write and say.

Political correctness is founded on western guilt and self-loathing.

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury, Swindon

....

Spend a penny wisely

I SEE the main toilets in Royal Wootton Bassett have been closed, along with toilets in other towns in Wiltshire.

This is under the guise of ‘Cutting Costs’ resulting from lack of funds made available by this government.

Wiltshire Council are hoping local town councils and possibly volunteers allow this valuable facility to carry on.

Oh how great it was to be named ‘Royal Wootton Bassett.’ How pleased the Wiltshire councillors were, to be in the limelight, when our heroes were repatriated.

‘Come to Royal Wootton Bassett to see how compassionate the people are! Coach tours welcome, but you will need a toilet on the coach as there are none available in Wiltshire towns.

How great it is to allow asylum seekers etc, into this country and allow them travel concessions. How great it is to allow an elderly gentleman to be separated from his wife because the ‘care’ for them was not available! How great is this country and how it benefits from the EU.

Other countries have toilets, lots of good roads etc. Why not us?

We have a percentage increase in the police precept this year and we won’t see more on the streets.

The resources to stop cyber crime are needed more than actual policing as we know it, but I feel that our streets will become toilets and there will be no one to administer any fixed penalty.

I wonder whose country this is and how we can contribute towards these poor asylum seekers and immigrants when we cannot fund our own toilet facilities.

Oh, I know, closing all of the toilets will allow us to fund the benefits of those from other countries coming to us! If we opt out of the EU and then travel abroad, I can imagine, “Sorry, you can’t use our toilets, you are not a member.”

CHRIS GLEED

Proud Close, Purton

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Open to interpretation

AFTER I stopped laughing at the mysterious Big Ron who sent me a message via the Adver, (it took me 10 minutes!) I thought readers might find his letter confusing.

So, with the help of my English-born son, I thought I would give some translations:

n Parliamo Glasgow: With apologies to Stanley Baxter, and thanking Rab C Nesbitt for his contributions.

n Izatamarraonyerbarraclara: Is that a marrow on your barrow Clare?

n Scummindooninbuckets: It is raining rather heavily.

n Geezapunnaburrafurramurra: Could I have a pound of butter for my mother?

n Takyurhonaffmabum: Would you please remove your hand from my rear.

n Geezabarrachoaclatefurrawean: Could I please have a bar of chocolate for my child.

n Sanoffycauldday: It is rather cold today.

Abbreviations:

n Simmit: Vest.

n Bluenose: Glasgow Rangers supporter.

n Tim: Glasgow Celtic supporter.

n Jotters: Receiving your P45.

n Bampot: One who is insane.

n Blether: To gossip.

We hope this enables the readers to understand any future correspondence.

GRAHAM AND BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way

Swindon