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Council having a laugh

IS IT me, or are the council having a laugh at our expense? They are trying to introduce the concept of “parishing”, whereby they force us to pay an extra estimated £70-ish a year to a local parish council to carry out work that THEY are actually already contracted to do.

Then these pillars of society (our councillors) will relinquish their responsibilities and tell us that its the parish councils’ problem, not theirs.

Come on councillors do what you are in office to do, actually work for your constituents for a change.

You have been organising meetings all over town about this subject, where your constituents have overwhelmingly rejected your proposals.

Now act on what the constituents have said to you. Give up this stupid idea. You are obviously afraid to hold a referendum within the town because you know that you will not get the result that you want.

If you think imposing a £70 parish tax will solve Swindon’s financial situation and restore the services you are cutting, increase your council tax by that amount, it’s £1.34 a week.

Don’t try to pass the buck on to others who do not want the responsibility of doing what you are paid to do.

JOHN BROWNLEE

Chickerell Road, Park North, Swindon

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Watch where tax goes

I AGREE with Terry Hayward that the council tax in Swindon has been too low for too long. Hence the cuts to children’s services and libraries, among others.

However, increasing it will not provide extra money for primary schools because education is funded directly from the Exchequer by central government.

If it wasn’t then the council tax would probably be double what it is now. Our council sends out a booklet each year with the council tax bills. The back page shows “where every £100 of your council tax goes.”

Nearly half is spent “caring for older people and adults with special needs”.

DON REEVE

The Pinnacle, Horder Mews, Swindon

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NHS is going nowhere

I ADMIRE Peter Smith’s analysis of David Collins’ letter, which did appear to be a mite confusing.

However, I must take issue with Peter’s comment regarding the current junior doctors, dispute and his claim that it is about the “government’s drive to privatise the NHS”. I do not believe there is any evidence to show the Conservatives have acted any differently to their Labour counterparts in how they have managed the NHS.

Indeed, it would be correct to say that Labour “privatised” elements of the NHS during their recent time in power. Suffice to say that both parties have ideological issues which negatively affects their ability to change what is surely the last sacred shibboleth in our society.

The junior doctors’ strike action is all about weekend payment premiums, which they are perfectly entitled to campaign for but no one should be under any illusion the action is about “saving the NHS”. The NHS is going nowhere it is “safe” in the hands of both Labour and the Conservatives, as it has been for nearly 70 years.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Respect in Labour row

THERE have been too many inappropriate remarks from supporters of both Labour Party candidates in public broadcasts, letters and on social media, whether anonymously or otherwise.

Attacks on other Labour Party members and their views are only giving the Tories and other opponents, especially the press, the opportunity to divert attention from the real issues.

I am not, and will not become, a member of Momentum, Progress Labour or any other pressure group working inside the Labour Party.

However, I respect the views of others and their right to join such groups, though I prefer to work through the recognised party organisation.

I am not just some party hack but willing to follow my conscience on matters of principle, number one of which is that TRUTH outweighs any political loyalty.

Those voting in the Labour Party leadership contest should bear in mind Swindon Borough Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors: “General obligations

3. (1) You must treat others with respect.”

These principles have led me to vote for Jeremy Corbyn.

BRIAN V COCKBILL

North Swindon Labour Party member

Stratton Road, Swindon

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On boundary changes

THERESA May is implementing plans to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.

The party most affected by these changes will be the Labour Party that will lose about 25 seats.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is one of the MPs whose constituency seat will disappear with the proposed changes to existing constituency boundaries.

Voters need have no fear that there will be a reduction in the total size of the British Parliament as the number of peers in the House of Lords is expected to expand to make up the difference.

TERRY HAYWARD

Burnham Road

Swindon

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Well done, arts centre

I WOULD very much like to say a big thank you to the organisers of the Arts Centre’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

I read the article in Monday’s edition covering the event and was a little dismayed that your reporter did not mention all the participants who gladly gave up their time to support this event.

All amateur organisations need to grab publicity whenever they can and this surely was one of those

occasions.

The Swindon Music Festival has used the Arts Centre for most of the 60 years and let’s hope it will continue for another 60.

YVONNE WALKER

Secretary

Swindon Music Fe