Letters: June 2, 2016

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Just no end to EU spin

I AM sure the irony of Adam Poole’s comments (SA 27 May) will not be lost on readers.

Leaving aside the pejorative manner in which Mr Poole refers to those who would vote leave as “quitters” he spoils his excellent piece by repeating a falsehood as great as the one he attributes to the Leave Campaign.

Mr Poole quite rightly cites the incorrect use of the £350m a week sent to the EU, as it is indeed a gross figure which doesn’t take account of any grants and rebate.

However, he then goes on to suggest leaving the political construct of the EU would “put at risk every single one of the 3.5 million British jobs involved with producing the goods and services we export to the EU.”

I am sure Mr Poole knows that not “every single one of” 3.5 million jobs is at risk, indeed he really cannot be sure that any are at risk, unless he assumes a worst case scenario in which all trade with countries in the EU ceases.

And, as even the most sceptical observer will admit, that is extremely unlikely.

What is of concern to every observer of this referendum is the multiplicity of lies and half truths, an amalgam of ifs, buts, coulds and maybes which together are being presented as “facts”.

How sad that our politicians are practising their dark arts and “spinning” for all they are worth.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Both sides full of bull

I STOPPED watching BBC’s Question Time many years ago due to its blatant left-wing bias. However, the moment of truth appears on the horizon in the referendum on the European Disunion.

I call it that, because I holidayed for many years in a generally peaceful and financially viable Europe. Each country with their own currencies. Look at it now.

I decided to watch Question Time on Thursday night expecting to turn over after 15 minutes.

To my surprise and delight I watched it right through and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It had a balanced audience for a change.

Although, as readers of these pages will no doubt testify, I am as likely to vote remain as a trawler captain based in the North Sea.

However, I listened to the arguments on both sides of the fence, as it should be in a democratic society.

What intrigued me was the young people, the future of our country, who were undecided.

They were confused by the bull manure emanating from both camps – though far more outrageous in my opinion from the Remain camp.

This is one of this country’s most important decisions in its history. All concerned should make their claims honest ones, and get your facts right to the best of your knowledge.

Then we can let the British public of all colours and creeds make their individual decisions on the facts rather than the political elite’s misguided mantra of “we know better than the plebs”.

They don’t, and they insult our intelligence at their political peril – particularly the prime minister.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon

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UK adrift on sea of debt

THE UK population is increasing at an alarming rate. And some people are saying partly because of the huge influx of people we should build more social houses, schools, hospitals etc.

I understand the Great Western Hospital is not paid for yet – also many hospitals in the UK are heavily in debt.

It’s not the supply but the demand – we may well be the fifth largest economy in the world but where is the money coming from? The UK is already floating on “a sea of debt”.

The national debt is now measured in trillions and the personal debt running at £182bn (not counting mortgage repayments) and then some.

PD COOK

Broome Manor, Swindon

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Referendum debate

ON MAY 27 I attended a public meeting in St Peter’s Church, in Marlborough, that took the form of a debate about the EU referendum.

It had been arranged by Devizes Green Party and the participants were Green Party MEP Molly Scott-Cato and the UKIP MEP Julia Read.

It was attended by about 100 people, mainly middle aged or older, but with an encouraging smattering of younger people.

It was arranged by the Green Party so it was no surprise that most of the audience was made up of mainly Green Party members, including five from the Swindon branch.

There were a healthy number of Tories, but unfortunately only three UKIP supporters.

No doubt UKIP thought it was a trap. It wasn’t, on the whole it was a good humoured affair with some tough questions asked by the audience.

For balance it could have done with more questions from Brexit supporters.

On the whole Molly Scott-Cato was the stronger speaker, standing in front of the table and speaking without notes, while Julia Reid, for her initial speech, put a lectern on the table and read from a script.

She put the lectern aside for the question and answer session and this increased the audience’s empathy with her, if not their agreement.

All in all I think Molly Scott-Cato won the debate and, while it was brave of Julia Reid to put her head in a potential lion’s mouth, it was a shame that UKIP could not put up a stronger speaker.

STEVE THOMPSON

Norman Road, Swindon

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Failing on immigration

NOW 333,000 is the new net immigration figure. David Cameron promised to reduce net migration but after six years as prime minister the numbers are still rising.

David Cameron’s much trumpeted EU renegotiation has actually increased immigration instead of reducing it.

It is cynical to talk about reducing the number of people settling in Britain while the EU insists on the free movement of people across the European Union.

STEVE HALDEN

Beaufort Green, Swindon

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Blatantly misleading

WE ON the Vote Leave side of the EU referendum debate realise that those wanting to remain have a very weak case but I hadn’t realised that it was so bad as the letter “Saying anything to win” from Mr Hegenbarth makes out.

Indeed, when he has to resort to blatant misleading comments and misrepresentation to try to garner votes their position must be very bad indeed.

Examples include “those leading the drive to leave the EU wanting to see our NHS sold off” (a blatant lie) and the fact is that staying in the EU will be the quickest way to destroy the health service.

The introduction of TTIP will see “American style health care” brought to Britain, in other words don’t get ill unless you have expensive health insurance or prepared to pay the full costs for treatment (source: War on Want).

TTIP, an unavoidable part of remaining in the EU, will also see protections of public service organisations, environmental regulations, employment rights, food safety, privacy laws and much else done away with as the giant corporations behind the plans do anything and everything to maximise profits above all else.

I accept Mr Banks did say “left to me” but fortunately it will never be up to him alone, a fact Mr Hegenbarth prefers to overlook.

Indeed, were we to elect a UKIP government, still the only large political party totally pledged to leave the EU, the future of the NHS would be assured in ways no other party has so far pledged.

GREG HEATHCLIFFE

Okus Road, Swindon

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Rallying the Troups

I AM in the process of writing my next book in aid of Pathfinders for Patients (Reg. Charity 1048443) and part of my research involves Knighton in Wiltshire and the Troup family who lived there.

The Troups moved from Dogdean to Knighton, in 1919/1920 when Alan Troup purchased the property with 930 acres.

The family stayed there until Alan Troup’s death in 1931, after which they moved away.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who recalls the Troups and also for help identifying the property they actually lived in because within the records that I have it is variously referred to as Knighton, Knighton Manor, Knighton Manor Farm and Knighton Farm.

Equally their previous property is only known to me as Dogdean or Dogdean Farm.

I have tried various avenues of inquiry but without any real success.

I hope there might just be someone who can help me. My e-mail is philip2fairfield@gmail.com.

PHILIP G HUMPHREY

King John’s Road

North Warnborough

Hook, Hampshire

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Moggies are a misery

ALTHOUGH I do not in any way condone the shooting of cats I can in a way sympathise with the frustration suffered by many, many people who find cats a bane to their lives.

My neighbour had a cat which for a number of years made my life a misery using my garden as its own personal toilet.

There is nothing more disgusting than putting your hand in some stinking mess when tending your borders.

The cat also used to lie in wait for emerging chicks from my bird boxes.

When I retired, l bought a new car, only to have it constantly covered with muddy paw prints and scratches where the cat would scrabble up on it to sunbathe.

It would shoot in when our door was opened, causing a chase around the house to shoo it out.

Luckily for us it decided to go for a permanent wander and its replacement is now kept indoors.

I’m afraid I regard cats in the same way as l do other vermin which blight our daily lives.

I used to have an aviary some years ago and witnessed first hand the cruelty inflicted on our feathered friends by the feline species.

CHRIS HUMPHREYS

Fuller Close

Kingsdown

Swindon