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You all voted for this

I SEE that now the council tax bills have hit people’s doorsteps, the penny has suddenly dropped for many people.

Sorry folks, this has been reported as coming for a long time, in the Advertiser and other places.

Since 2010, the national government have been cutting council funding in the name of austerity and “we’re all in it together.”

Now the chickens are coming home to roost.

To those of you who have voted for the Tories in 2010 and since, nationally and locally, this is what you voted for. It’s too late to complain now.

Of course, the council are staying quiet about the real reason for the cuts.

They could have been honest and asked via a referendum for a council tax rise to compensate for loss of central funding, but they don’t want to embarrass their Westminster colleagues.

Instead, they have introduced an equivalent stealth tax rise by imposing parishes and telling them if they don’t supply certain services then nobody will.

Funny isn’t it how this happens in a year when there are no council elections.

They expect us to have forgotten by next year. Please prove them wrong.

HOWARD MARCH

Tudor Crescent, Swindon

Comments refuted

I FAIL to see what Ian Hunt’s letter “blame Blair and Obama" means. Does he mean:

  • Christianity is banned in British schools; it most certainly isn’t when the law says schools must have assemblies that are mainly Christian in nature.
  •  Pork dishes are banned in British prisons; they are most certainly not.
  •  Burkas are allowed everywhere; of course they are, people can wear what they want.
  •  Muslims are suing their employers if they deem their jobs are against Sharia law; they most certainly are not, they don’t take jobs that are against Sharia law.
  •  If he means all this is happening in the USA, it’s a foreign country, what has it to do with us?

He also blames Tony Blair for the archbishop who was appointed by Cameron and says Blair allowed millions of Islamists (sic) into our land. I think he will find Blair allowed millions of Christian Europeans into our land and a jolly good job too, as our economy would be at a standstill with out them.

Obviously, Mr Hunt must have written his letter days before the horrid events in Westminster, but it just goes to show one should think very carefully before indulging in a racist rant.

STEVE THOMPSON

Norman Road, Swindon

More care needed

THE proposal to close Sandalwood Court is just another proof of the lack of understanding towards mental health needs.

Rather than cutting services for mental health we should be increasing them.

This type of facility is vital to a town the size of Swindon and to have Devizes as the nearest facility is cruel to the Swindon people who need it and to their families whose support is vital.

It is surprising the powers that be are proposing this as they know that people in times of crisis who need this facility will have more stress and anxiety added to them when they need it the least.

M COLLINS

Cookham Road, Oakhurst, Swindon

Be safe or be dead

I FULLY agree with the ban on electronic items that has recently been introduced on planes.

However, I don’t believe it is sufficient. Anything of an explosive nature stored in the hold has the potential to cause massive structural failure of any aircraft’s integrity.

Many of the control systems of the aircraft are run through the hold area. Any explosion within this space has the potential to destroy the aircraft and the lives of all those on board.

I firmly believe that all these items should be banned from passenger aircraft unless we have a foolproof system in place to ensure that they are 100 per cent safe.

This is the only way to give any security from a terrorist attempt to destroy the aircraft.

Business people do not need their laptops etc. They can use a computer at the client’s business or at a hotel and get the required documentation sent to them wherever they are. Yes it’s not a simple thing but what is better - a little complication or being dead?

The choice really is that simple. Be safe or be dead. Which one would you choose?

DAVID COLLINS

Blake Crescent, Swindon

A staunch defender

AS THE war hero Sergeant Alexander Blackman awaits his fate from the wigged brigade, who would run a mile, if you let off a firecracker behind them on a summer’s day, I ponder, if the recent official lack of recruitment to our Armed Forces has something to do with their stalled judicial reversal.

Have the boys and girls who serve our country and give their lives in the process now realised the game is not worth the candle?

They are hounded by greedy lawyers, while terrorists walk our streets through the Human Rights farce.

The politicians were safe in the House of Parliament, while innocent people were being murdered and maimed outside their protected cocoon, including the brave and unarmed police constable Keith Palmer, another ex-serviceman.

I wonder if perhaps the honourable members of the House would not have minded Sergeant Blackman defending their lives, with his great experience of eliminating the enemy, instead of being incarcerated in a British prison for doing his duty for his country?

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon