Letters: May 21, 2016

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PM's true colours

WE LEARN that Mr Cameron was working with the head of Britain Stronger In Europe to persuade big business to support UK membership of the EU while at the same time telling Parliament and the people “I am not arguing – and I never will argue – that Britain couldn’t survive outside the EU.”

Moreover, the Prime Minister made out that he was battling for Britain in his negotiations for a reformed EU backed up by Treaty changes.

Might I suggest that the public should not be surprised as to the paucity of the demands made by Mr Cameron in his alleged negotiations.

And even less should we be surprised at the meagre offerings from the EU.

After all, they will surely have known here was a man intent on staying irrespective of the outcome of the talks.

How typical of the political elite that they believe the ordinary voter is simply a mug to be taken advantage of.

How else should we interpret the latest weasel words of a discredited Chancellor when he states, ‘Leave campaigners are conspiracy theorists’ while, at the same time, we read the Prime Minister was cosying up to big business many of which hold lucrative Government contracts worth millions to their profitability.

One of the largest businesses is SERCO which has contracts worth about £130m a year with EU institutions.

Their chairman says, “If Britain left the EU it would be more difficult for us to win EU contracts.”

It would be more difficult, maybe but not impossible.

But whatever the degree of difficulty SERCO has the resource to make its own way through the morass of legislation and petty bureaucracy which characterises the EU.

I wonder what form the ‘persuasion’ to which Mr Cameron referred to will manifest itself in days to come – peerages, knighthoods and other baubles to those who did his bidding and even more juicy Government contracts for the businesses which included dire warnings of the supposed dangers of Brexit in their annual reports.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Opera date for Brunel

I READ Barrie Hudson’s excellent article on the Swindon175 Celebrations in the Swindon Advertiser on May19.

As the director of the JTPTrust I would like to correct a venue mistake in the article.

The performance of the one-act opera Brunel: The Little Man In The Tall Hat will take place at the Steam Museum on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10.

The JTP Trust is delighted to be reviving this opera Brunel: The Little Man In The Tall Hat, which was commissioned by the JTPTrust for the Brunel200 South West Celebrations in 2006 and originally performed at St Mark’s Church in the Railway Village.

This revival features 21-year-old William Pearson as IK Brunel himself; William having played the Boy Brunel in the 2006 production.

Community forces include an adult choir, the JTP Trust Concert Choir and Juniors, performers from Lydiard Park Academy plus a core family, The Beddows all off to St Ives on the Swindon Trip Train.

The chatter on the Trip Train introduces IK Brunel, Daniel Gooch, George Stephenson, Dr Lardner and other engineers, all brought to life by local adult soloists.

The performance takes place in association with Steam Museum.

Tickets are available to be purchased from the Wyvern Box Office.

JANICE THOMPSON

Director, Brunel: TLMITTH

Swindon

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Osborne's hypocrisy

WHILE Chancellor Osborne imposes tough austerity measures on the country, especially on the poor and vulnerable, stating: ‘we are all in this together’, it seems that all along it hasn’t applied to him.

More than £40,000 was spent, courtesy of the taxpayer, on his grace-and-favour flat in Downing Street on maintenance and refurbishment while he continues to slash public sector spending.

Add to this the fact that he has been renting out his London property for £60,000 a year for several years and the words ‘all in this together,’ pale.

Osborne’s hypocrisy is breathtaking.

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury

Swindon

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Political comedians

THE booklet issued by the Government shows a picture beside the chapter of “What happens if we leave the EU” proclaiming years of uncertainty if we dare leave the EU.

It is a wonderful picture which, unfortunately, shows berths eight and nine at the port of Felixtowe of cargo sent by our trading partner China.

Another reason for ignoring the scaremongering being put out officially by the desperate comedians David and George.

Step aside the two Ronnies – we now have a new breed of political comedians.

IAN HUNT

Hill View Road

Swindon

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One man went to mow?

REGARDING Mr Harris being instructed to reinstate a grass verge outside of his home in Eldene, may I suggest that whoever the “man from the council” was he would be much better operating a lawn mower than a camera.

He should get over to Covingham, and all the other overgrown areas of our town, and get those areas looking as neat and tidy as Mr Harris’ verge does.

Covingham “park” it was once known as now it’s more like Covingham jungle.

It’s amazing that our councillors are vocal about a lot of things that are not really important and the general appearance of the area is forgotten about.

There is a part of Drakes Way where the bushes in the central area encroach into the road and have done for years.

K EDMONDS

Covingham

Swindon