Devotion to duty

Like many a loyal subject I watched the funeral on Saturday of HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. I thought it a very dignified occasion and it was precision personified.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother said in the War when Buckingham Palace was bombed “now I can look the rest of London square in the face” I’m sure her daughter, our most gracious Majesty, due to the Covid regulation funeral restrictions feels she can now look the rest of the country square in the face. I think they are to be admired for sticking to the rules to the letter the same as the rest of the nation who have lost loved ones have had to do. Well done ma’am. Selfless devotion to duty

Steven Blanchard

Woodstock Road

Coleview

Facts or fiction

Oh dear me! The Adver's 'Daily Mail' readers really don't like the truth about the success of the EU and the utter failure of Brexit, do they? You could tell from their letters that Des Morgan and others were almost incandescent with rage that I had the temerity to point out some very salient facts in my letter (SA, April 8).

Des and others claimed that Brexit was the reason for the success, thus far, of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the UK. Utter poppycock - of course - but don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. The success is due to the NHS, not the Tory government or Brexit. It is also due to the co-operation and the brilliance of UK, EU, US and other scientists from around the world.

Des argues that poor Robert Buckland (MP for South Swindon) is not getting the respect he deserves! I would argue that Mr Buckland's voting record should give any reasonable person cause for concern. He has consistently voted against raising welfare benefits, at least in line with prices, against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability, against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000, against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS, for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities, for new high speed rail infrastructure, for university tuition fees, and, in addition, he has generally voted against equal gay rights.

Mr Buckland rarely responds to me and other constituents I know, when we write to him with legitimate concerns. He is rarely seen around the town, unless there is a positive PR photo opportunity. Respect is earned, not automatic.

Steve Cowdry

Saddleback Road

Shaw

Swindon

A backward step

The reopening of shops, hairdressers, gyms and beauty salons is a really welcome step. Our local businesses deserve and need our support.

For many, restaurants and pubs being able to serve families and groups of up to six outdoors will be a real highlight. No doubt the vast majority of us will behave responsibly and enjoy these newly restored freedoms safely. But we need to focus on the minority whose anti social behaviour puts others at risk‎ and threaten the peace. In that context, Wiltshire Council's decision to unilaterally scrap the Public Space Protection Orders is very unwelcome.

This action was taken without any consultation with the police, town and parish councils and residents. They know PSPOs‎ are a valuable legal tool to stop drinking and other anti-social actions in public places. Town and parish councils worked closely with their local police officers to identify these hot spots and took action in setting up PSPOs.

Wiltshire's ruling Conservatives have much to answer for in stripping away that important, extra protection. Let's hope it is not law abiding citizens who enjoy their newly restored lawful right to Covid safe outdoor social gatherings in our parks and our hard pressed police officers who pay the price for their foolishness.

Liz Webster

Prospective Liberal Democrat Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon