Letters: October 12, 2016

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Bargaining over Brexit

SOME correspondents have expressed concern and regret that the ‘free movement of people’ from the EU to the UK may be used as a bargaining tool in the Brexit negotiations.

I’m afraid their fears are absolutely correct, but they should not be surprised.

After all it is the EU itself which insists on the four non-negotiable red lines which are the free movement of services, capital, goods and workers.

Due in part to the interpretation and development of the term ‘worker’ by the European Court of Justice, the default position is that people become a bargaining tool in any negotiated settlement.

As undesirable as that may prove to some, the reality is that poorly managed immigration has had an impact on the way people think about migrants, in particular migrants on low incomes and those who arrive with no employment prospects other than in the ‘black economy.’

The UK has always welcomed migrants who have jobs to go to, as it has students who have places at colleges and universities.

The EU Referendum result demonstrated legitimate concerns (recognised by all political parties) that a majority – albeit only 17 million people – felt it was time to call a halt to unmanaged immigration and take stronger action against illegal immigration and the people traffickers who grow fat on what is modern slavery.

I know of and applaud the good work being done by those who work with asylum seekers and victims of terror and civil war.

However, the numbers of people entering the country without job prospects, those perceived to be taking from the system and those who are clearly taking advantage of lax controls has and is causing the normally ambivalent British public to react with undisguised anger and demand wholesale change.

It may not be what some others want to see, but it is an alternate view, perfectly legitimate and of as much value as the view which suggests that the UK can take unlimited numbers of people irrespective of cost in terms of finance or social disruption.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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UKIP’s road to oblivion

WHAT some ‘goings on’ there have been recently in the UKIP party, with MEP Steven Woolfe seemingly being floored during an altercation with someone by fellow member of the name Mike Hookem.

It would appear that a disagreement between the two men had spilled over into an adjoining anti-room of the European Parliament chamber where an altercation ensued, which allegedly led to Steven Woolfe being hit by Mr Hookem.

The name Hookem is really unfortunate in the context of this unseemly occurrence, as quite possibly we will never know if Steven Woolfe was struck by a right or a left hook or for that matter if he hooked-em at all.

No one likes to see anyone hurt, and in this case having to stay in hospital.

However, it would appear that all is not well within the ranks of UKIP and they are now struggling to find any purpose for existence after claiming victory in the part they played in getting our country into a successful Brexit, as they see it.

It really makes one wonder as to what sort of ‘Hook-em’ they will get up to next, as they have tried several times to hook a new leader since Nigel Farage made a sharp exit, while stating that his purpose for being leader had been achieved by bringing our country out of the EU.

The problem seems to be that every time they think that they may have hooked a new leader, then a short time later they seem to wriggle off the hook, and run in the opposite direction as fast as possible.

This is probably not surprising, as the party now has no real reason for existence any longer, let alone any sensible policies that are likely to appeal to the British voter.

It would seem that they are engaged in walking down a very dark corridor in to oblivion by following the route taken by the Liberal Democrats who lied to voters, and now are trying to repent at leisure.

We may all now live to regret the existence of UKIP when we finally leave the EU and become the poor man outside of Europe.

Finally UKIP or, to use its full name, the UK Independence Party, might like to rename itself as the UK Independent ‘Punch Up’ Party, as this particular hook-em shows no sign of stopping any time soon.

GA WOODWARD

Nelson Street, Swindon

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Political shambles

THE recent UKIP slapstick comedy from Strasbourg confirms that the UK has degenerated from the world’s most admired country in 1945 – how patriotically proud I was, then – to the laughing-stock of Europe now.

But we should look on the bright side, and can all gain comfort from the thought that, in a very short while, our NHS will start receiving an extra £350m a week.

Happy days!

JOHN D WALSH OBE

Sedgebrook, Swindon

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Cost of leaving the EU

LET’S agree to disagree – David Collins’ letter of October 7.

I agree with much if what he says. I am a “remoaner” and David suggests I learn to live with it.

I find the term irritating and yes I can live with it – including the likelihood of £1 equalling $1.

It is now widely acknowledged that David Cameron’s decision to hold the referendum was catastrophic.

The 48:52 vote was hardly an overwhelming mandate. Those of us who woke on June 24 with heavy hearts also had the grace to acknowledge that many who voted to leave did so on the basis of thought through arguments.

However, there were some (four per cent maybe) who voted to leave, not from any logical position, but more from frustration and a desire to “kick the governing elite.”

Much as we would all like to believe Theresa May’s rhetoric, I doubt that leaving the EU will change the relationship between the leaders and the led, or will make the UK a happier or richer place to live and work, or will affirm the union between Scotland and England.

A chartered engineer by profession, I have also read sufficient history to understand that the UK is a very different place now in comparison to what it was two or three generations ago.

Yes, we helped Europe then, and we still ought to do so. Looking to the future, a political point has been made, but at a huge likely cost.

A grave disservice has been done to our children and grandchildren – ask them.

DANIEL PITT

Okus Road, Swindon

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Unwarranted penalty

A MOTHER of one, namely Doctor Jean Paton Ker, 41, received a month’s suspension from the BMA for a sexual indiscretion with a patient.

Common sense at last prevailed over the normally political correct zealots at the BMA. We are all human beings with feelings and, obviously, failings.

The dedication of the lengthy study to become a doctor when you are young and of free spirit deserves my greatest respect and admiration.

Then to spend the rest of your life solving the problems of the health of the young and the old on a daily basis with one mistake causing an early death.

Quite frankly it frightens the life out of me.

This lady made a mistake? She fancied a man, sadly a patient.

Is that not the reason the planet Earth is overpopulated and how we all, without exception, arrived here? Or am I missing something regarding the human race?

Finally, I believe that, contrary to some newspapers’ opinions regarding financial remuneration of the medical profession, many of these doctors with their intelligence and dedication could have chosen easier ways to make a living.

Finally, if people lost their jobs due to sexual indiscretions the Houses of Parliament would have a number of empty seats.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon

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Missing the point

RE Terry Hayward’s asinine reply (Danger on the increase, Adver, October 7).

He has completely missed the point I was addressing.

It is the duty of the law, he writes, to protect the weak and vulnerable in society.

Aren’t innocent citizens who are set up to take the rap for someone’s else’s crime, because of a corrupt police force, also deserving of protection and fairness? He seems to think otherwise.

To state that the ending of capital punishment is connected to the rise in terrorist attacks in France and around the world is a preposterous statement.

Indeed countries ‘around the world’ have the death penalty but has that stopped terrorist attacks? Where is your evidence?

When capital punishment ended here I do not recall a sudden spike in the number of murders.

Most murders are family-related, committed in the heat of the moment

He writes: ‘Vulnerable girls like Sian O’Callaghan and Rebecca Godden should have been better protected by society.’ How, Terry Hayward? Please tell us.

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury

Swindon