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Risks of Nationalism

NATIONALISM is greatly in the ascendancy in Britain today, with people of all UK’s crudely divided classes declaring their certainty that Britons are superior to the inhabitants of all other countries, and that is why they object to foreigners coming here from other EU nations.

Obviously, politicians of no principles whatever, are quick to get on this very dangerous bandwagon. A few meaningless, much repeated slogans is all they need.

If these British nationalists are so blessed with intelligence, one might have hoped that they would be aware of other people, exactly like themselves, in all the other countries on Earth, who consider all British citizens as ‘foreigners’, and so naturally, they resent them.

That is a perplexing mystery. Given that British nationalists are so extremely determined about their own virtue, of which they boast so loudly, how can you explain that they cannot recognise this same excellent sense in people who think exactly like them, in other countries, who have never any intention to co-operate with them either?

None of these people are prepared to accept the fairly basic idea that there is only one planet for us all to share.

The idea does not appeal to their chosen personality, so they deny that it is true. That is scarcely helpful.

The different nationalists of 192 countries, with the same bigoted mental attitude and same sense of hostility towards each other, with this first step of destroying the united progress of the EU, appear already to be creating a dire future for our grandchildren, just like the past, war and slaughter.

Do Nationalists know that and actively desire it, or does their understanding never stretch beyond themselves?

CN WESTERMAN, Meadow Rise, Brynna, Mid Glam

Debate must go on

THE long letter from Des Morgan (Adver, May 20) seeks to cut off debate on Brexit – the most significant economic issue of our time.

The decision having been made to leave the EU, the question is now – “On what terms?” And those terms must be fully discussed and scrutinised.

Brexiteers don’t seem to like that idea and try to cut off discussion by attacks – quite personal attacks – on the many people from all parts of the political spectrum who fear that reduced access to the largest and wealthiest market in the world will damage our economy. These people cannot just be written off as “sore losers".

It is not unpatriotic to have concerns about the future of exports and jobs. It is not undemocratic to speak out about them. Liz Webster and John Stooke are doing us all a service. (So are Brexiteers who want to discuss the actual issues.)

It is important for our future that the debate continues during the long process of leaving – otherwise we may all end up “sore losers".

DEBORAH KING, Carlton Gate, Swindon

We must repel evil

I STRONGLY denounce the murder of innocent people in Manchester Arena. Our hearts go out to the families of those who were killed and we pray that the injured recover and return to their families as early as possible.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore know well how it feels when such a calamity falls upon people because we, too, have been subjected to murderous attacks for the last 125 years.

The Holy Quran equates the killing one human to the killing of all humanity and commands severe punishment for the perpetrators of such crimes, if they do not repent.

Our task in words of the Holy Quran is to: “Repel evil with that which is best” and “see refuge in Allah from the evil suggestions of the devils.” (chapter 23, verses 96 and 97)

May Allah keep the whole humanity, regardless of colour, creed, sect or nationality, free from harm and watch over all of us.

SHAHID AZIZ, National President of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore, Chiseldon

Motorists are struggling

I READ recently about the large number of people being fined for entering the car park opposite the Outlet Centre and Bottelinos restaurant.

I was invited to this restaurant and we stopped to pick up extra guests at the Railway Cottages, about half a mile from the car park.

I didn’t understand why we went down Westcott Place, Wootton Bassett Road and around Mannington roundabout to come into the back of the car park but was told we were not allowed to enter the front entrance.

So, after several miles of travel we ended up parking about half a mile from where we started from.

What a stupid way to encourage business to either the Outlet Centre or the restaurant.

If the car park is wide enough to let in buses then why can’t cars go in? Our stupid planning committee have done this sort of thing in several places in Swindon, making motorists go extra miles on their one-way systems. I wouldn’t be able to direct strangers to our railway station either.

JOAN LAWRENCE, Swindon

Beat heart disease

EVERY year heart and circulatory disease kills about 15,000 people in the south west and currently, 639,000 people in the region are living with its burden.

The need to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these terrible conditions is more urgent than ever.

That’s why I’m calling on everyone to take part in the British Heart Foundation’s Wear It. Beat It campaign.

Join thousands of others across the UK on Friday, June 9 by wearing red and holding a fundraising event to help us stop heart disease in its tracks.

From a bake sale or coffee morning at work to a red-themed garden party with friends and family, whatever you choose to do, Wear It. Beat It is a great way to bring everyone together and help make a difference to millions.

You will be also be helping the BHF fund even more cutting-edge breakthroughs that will help end the devastation caused by heart disease.

Last year more than 15,000 people took part in Wear it Beat It raising more than £750,000.

To sign up and receive a free fundraising pack full of ideas about how to get involved visit wearitbeatit.bhf.org.uk.

PETER TARRANT, British Heart Foundation

Fishing won’t improve

BILL Williams is at it again with his claim that our politicians have “given away” our fishing rights to the EU, (EU has come at a cost, SA May 19).

Agreements to limit catches to sustainable levels are in place throughout Europe with both EU and non-EU countries to ensure no one kills the goose that lays the golden egg as happened in Newfoundland where the cod fleet was eventually put out of business.

Many of the European arrangements are due for renegotiation in 2022, so our Government will be able to fight our own corner then, unfettered by the EU.

However, Defra says that the waters round the UK make up only 13 per cent of EU waters and that this figure is “widely accepted.”

Nonetheless, the UK share of the overall EU fishing catch grew from fourth place in 2004 with 652,000 tonnes to second place in 2014 with 752,000 tonnes. So it seems unlikely that we’ll do better than we’re doing now when we “take control” after 2019.

DON REEVE, Horder Mews, Old Town, Swindon

Industry is urgent

THE letter by Steve Halden (SA, May 22) reminds us of the need for exports to create wealth in order to reduce the National Debt that is rapidly approaching £2 trillion.

In another article on the same day it says that £7bn has been secured for the electrification and modernisation of the Great Western Mainline.

Electrification sounds very grand but it is not clear how that vast expense actually benefits the consumer.

What rail users want are cheaper fares, but investment on this scale is more likely to increase the cost of travelling rather than reduce it.

Coming back to the subject of exports electrification of the rail network does not help correct our gigantic trade deficit.

Manufacturing industry is a far more urgent priority, but economic group think is more concerned with sacrificing our national prosperity on the altar of climate change ideology.

Britain needs a new buy British ideology. We are spending too much money supporting the Climate Change Act while neglecting our home grown British manufacturing industry.

TERRY HAYWARD, Burnham Road, Swindon

Firms wiped out

WHILE waiting to use the recycling centre at Cheney Manor the other day my mind wandered back to the 1950s when the trading estate was being built.

Then me and a few mates from the old Green Hill council estate would go down there and build dens by interlocking building bricks and the corrugated metal sheets that were around (there was no Health And Safety in those days).

The one thing I remember while doing this was the wonderful smell of tar in the air.

In the 1960s and to the mid 1970s when I was working at the Metal Box Company at the estate at 4.30pm every day the estate was extremely busy with people leaving to go home and with women going to work on the evening shift.

Go through the estate today and what do you see? The Metal Box company turned into small units; The square D company derelict; Plessey Semi-conductors demolished and the Shorko Films Ltd company site being used by the recycling company.

Today I look at my 53 years of working within industry and get very upset about those companies. They each manufactured products that could be found in virtually every home or office throughout the UK and now they no longer exist.

MIKE RINGHAM, York Road, Swindon

Memory help

ANYONE worried about their memory or that of a relative can drop in for a confidential chat every Thursday at the Jubilee Centre, in Marlborough.

The informal advice sessions are run by Alzheimer’s Support and Swan Advocacy between 2pm and 4pm.

STEPHANIE BARDZIL, Alzheimer’s Support