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Enough scare stories

Poor Molly Scott Cato, a willing dupe to the cause of ‘let’s stay in the EU at any price’ and someone who really should know better than to trumpet such silly scare stories as “British consumers could be forced to drink lower quality American milk, hormone treated beef and chlorine washed chicken” (SA 5 March).

I suppose the millions of ‘Brits’ who have ever holidayed in the USA just existed on Mars bars and crisps, taking great care to avoid a white coffee, milk shake, or ice cream; and as for indulging in a steak sandwich or the ubiquitous hot dog, forget it, after all who knows what issues eating American food would do to them?

Thankfully, the British people are not as stupid as Molly Scott Cato and her friends would presume.

The UK is a net exporter of milk and would not need to buy in lower quality American milk; we already eat chicken which is the subject of various treatments and yet there are still regular health scares and as for beef steak, much of the UK’s livestock is treated with antibiotics and is probably therefore just as tainted as some American beef.

Let’s put this into perspective and recognise that having tried and failed to scare the British electorate with stories of economic collapse, raging inflation, mass employment and an immediate financial hit of £4,300 per family, the plan now is to paint the USA as a rapacious foe determined to feed us with beefburgers, chicken wings and hot dogs – oh, I forgot they already do and we have all survived.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon

Unfair to Molly

I feel that Des Morgan has been terribly unfair to Molly Scott Cato in suggesting she would be anything but thoroughly pleased that Toyota is investing £240 million in a car plant in the UK.

Just because she is passionate about remaining in the EU, why does he think she wants the UK to suffer if we leave? I don’t know but it could be, as a member of the economic committee, she could have been part of discussions to get the new plant in the UK.

Molly is a hard working MEP with a 93 per cent attendance record. She is demonstrably not a gravy trainer, unlike the UKIP MEPs, whose erstwhile leader was told he had to pay back £80,000 expenses that he accidentally misspent and who has an attendance record of four per cent.

Although I am not a personal friend of Molly I have had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions and I am sure that although committed to the European project, she loves her country not an iota less.

I do believe, Des, that a small apology is in order.

Steve Thompson, Norman Road, Swindon

A worthy winner

For me the Best Short Film award to The Silent Child is the most deserved Oscar by a ‘country mile. As the brother to two deaf sisters this recognition of a condition that affects millions across the globe is long overdue.

The obvious excitement of Maisie Sly, the six year old profoundly deaf actress who plays Libby in the film, is wonderful to see. It is just brilliant that this topic of a child who is diagnosed as deaf and then learns to communicate through sign language has made it to Hollywood.

I loved the BBC interview with Maisie Sly, in which Rachel Shenton who wrote the screenplay and plays Libby’s social worker in the film, interprets Maisie’s words on becoming an actor for the first time: “It was hard work because sometimes I had to film things again and again. I wanted to show people that deaf children can do anything.”

With such determination, I hope great things are in store for this young Wiltshire actress.

Dr Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat Wiltshire Councillor for Box and Colerne

Heroic efforts

Having defied logic and become embedded in a four foot snowdrift on the A346 Swindon to Marlborough road, we would like to thank all those unsung heroes who came to our rescue and spent their Thursday and Friday saving so many stranded motorists and their vehicles.

In particular we cannot thank enough Clifford Giddings who we rang at 3.30am and he came from our little Hamlet of Huish to save us in his tractor.

Also Tom Cripwell and his gang who spent most of their weekend in their Land Rovers.

The community spirit everywhere was amazing with people being offered beds by strangers.

Our thanks to you all.

Alexandra Elletson, Huish, Marlborough