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Vote on hard Brexit

IT SEEMS strange that even before any EU negotiation has begun, Mrs May has already deliberately selected the extreme hard Brexit as being the British choice.

It is as far as possible from all the principles of the EU, and so very unlikely to win any concessions about trade tariffs from the 27 nations. That is the present position.

The small Conservative majority in the House of Commons might be undermined by any of the Tory Bills about harsher disability conditions, and bring down the Government.

And when a new Government is installed, of whatever complexion, they might vote to introduce a fresh referendum, based upon this question of accepting a hard Brexit, ‘Yes?’ or ‘No?’ Now, if there are just a few EU Leavers who would have preferred a soft Brexit to a hard one, then this new referendum might deliver a small change in the percentages, to 48 per cent for a hard Brexit, and 52 per cent against it.

I am assuming that all the Remainers who have a profound and sincere belief in nations co-operating to make a safer world, would vote against Isolationism.

What would Parliament decide then? Could we agree that 52 per cent never was ‘The Expressed Will of the People’? 48 per cent is a substantial minority.

Of course this is a hypothetical question, but every citizen must concede that it is based upon the apparent present divided situation of our nation, as best we understand it.

Yes and No questions, never were the most intelligent method to determine the future of nations.

CN WESTERMAN Meadow Rise, Brynna, Mid Glam

UKIP’s time runs out

I CONGRATULATE Steve Halden in his staunch support of UKIP and putting on a brave face in the light of UKIP’s by-election result in Stoke On Trent Central - UKIP is Growing, Swindon Advertiser February 28.

He touched on the fact that in the by-election UKIP saw their share of the vote increase by 2.7 per cent.

However, Steve didn’t mention the fact that in the Copeland by-election the UKIP share of the vote fell by nine per cent.

He also said Paul Nuttall has made steady progress and UKIP has been growing for the past 24 years.

He overlooked the fact that UKIP as a Party has grown but that growth hasn’t yet seen an elected MP, apart of course from a hand-me-down Tory reject Douglas Carswell.

And he might not around for much longer after reports that he may be kicked out of the Party as Arron Banks plans to stand against him in the 2020 election.

UKIP are in a state of civil war and surely, Steve if, after 24 years, they don’t have a home grown MP, time is running out isn’t it?

MARK WEBB Old Town, Swindon

The elites must fall

Last Thursday evening, when it was cold and windy, a few activists and some Labour Councillors stood in front of the council to protest, peacefully, the cut of public expenditure.

I’m against the austerity policy of Conservative and Neoliberal governments across the Continent because it hits only the vulnerable and the poor of our societies.

In recent years, there has been an argument circulated by the Tory strategists and now it’s a common belief of the members of the working class. It says that the poor, weak and unemployed people are lazy and are unwilling to rise up.

That’s error in judgment. Most hard working people are from the poor and working classes. Nevertheless, they lack opportunity in education and employment. Good education leads to good employment.

If some people were born into a family with less income they will receive a poor education. They won’t be able to get private tutors to help them with their studies. Thus they won’t get good grades to get into good universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

Conservatives are usually born into well off families. Most of them get into Oxford, Cambridge or other top universities despite their mediocrities. Whilst there, they make connection with those who help them to be the rulers of the nation.

Inequality is bad for the Conservatives. History tells us any time a tiny group of people rule a society and control its wealth and money, people rise up or the elites collapse from within.

This happened in feudal society of 18th century, Bourgeoisie society of the 19th century — revolutions!

Today in our society there are wealth, education and justice gaps. And to divert attention to fallacy argument and blame the poor, the unemployed and weak in the midst of our society is wholly in error.

That’s bad for the society, even for the elites. The wiser thing to do is to share opportunities. Invest decent education programmes. People will create jobs for themselves and a fairer society will be born.

AXMED BAHJAD Ermin Street, Swindon

Join in with banger rally

CALLING all Wiltshire petrol heads! If you’ve ever watched Top Gear or The Grand Tour and thought: “I could do that” this could be your big opportunity.

The 2017 Monte Carlo or Bust Banger Rally is now open for entries and organisers are hopeful of finding a team from Wiltshire to emulate Clarkson, May and Hammond and burn rubber for more than 1,100 miles to Monte Carlo via France, Switzerland and Italy to raise money for charity.

The rally challenges entrants to source a car for less than £500 and take part in a variety of fun activities along the way competing for points and prizes.

Teams are encouraged to raise money for a local charity of their choice and can share their progress with supporters back home via live GPS tracking.

The three-day crusade will see more than 100 of the finest British bangers visit some of Europe’s most exciting locations and spectacular roads with backdrops of sun, sea, sand and snow.

Previous participants have raised more than £300,000 for UK charities and received media coverage on both sides of the Channel.

Organisers are confident that the 2017 will be an even bigger success.

Monte Carlo or Bust takes place in June and more information can be found on the event website at montecarloorbustrally.com.

MONTE CARLO OR BUST RALLY

Find your shipmates

THANK you again local newspapers, like this one, for printing my letters about reuniting those who have served together in the Royal Navy.

My letters are often cut out and sent to someone who has served, ‘My Niece saw your letter and sent it to me,’ is a regular response.

Many are missing the camaraderie of those who served in the Royal Navy, such as the eight already found from HMS Raleigh; 23 Entry Benbow Division, 2nd June 1980.

‘I wish I could relive some of it,’ is another regular response. Well, this can be done in the form of an RN Shipmates Reunion to be held over the weekend of Friday, April 21 to Monday April 24, in the Midlands.

This includes a coach tour over the weekend and of course, a Tot Issue. Wives and partners are welcomed too. No association or annual subscription is required, just come and ‘Swing the Lamp’ and find old shipmates.

Contact me for reunion details on mike.crowe1@btinternet.com or at 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 8PG (A stamp will help the pension if writing to me for details.)

MIKE CROWE Heath Road, Sandown Isle of Wight, PO36 8PG

Volunteers needed

CHILDREN’S charity Barnardo’s is encouraging people to put their spare time to good use as it launches a new volunteer recruitment drive.

With 20,000 volunteers across the UK from all walks of life, ages and abilities, Barnardo’s is still keen to recruit more people.

Our volunteers offer their time in our shops, in fundraising activities and directly with children, young people and families across the country. There are also special opportunities for young volunteers and university students.

Volunteers get involved for many reasons - to support Barnardo’s work and cause; to do something unusual and inspiring or to learn new skills and improve their CV. It is also an opportunity to meet new people.

The contribution of our volunteers is invaluable and we simply couldn’t exist without their support.

Visit www.barnardos.org.uk/volunteering.

JONATHAN WHALLEY Regional Director, Barnardo’s

Postal service woes

A LETTER posted at 1.10pm on Thursday February 23 at the Stratton Cross Roads to an address in Oakley park, Covingham, with first class post had still not arrived on February 28.

Royal Mail says it can do no more as it wasn’t sent by either registered or recorded delivery. Is that what we can expect from the new charges?

My daughter also tells me her mail is delivered normally between 1pm and 4pm every day. The message is send everything by recorded delivery.

T REYNOLDS, Wheeler Avenue, Swindon