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We are political pawns

BRIAN Mathew, who aspires to be a Lib Dem MP, states that an implication of Brexit is that EU nationals living in the UK and married to a UK citizen will have their right to remain rescinded (SA, March 2).

Actually, Mr Mathew is writing nonsense and, worse, he is clever enough to know that. The UK Government is not holding EU nationals to ransom in any future Brexit negotiations, rather it is the intransigence of the EU which is delaying any decision on their future.

It is a tenet of the EU that free movement of services, capital, goods and people should exist post-Brexit.

Whereas the UK Government and a majority of its citizens believe the latter should be a controlled freedom and yes it is possible to have “freedom within rules.”

The EU will not entertain any reciprocal confirmation of the right to reside for UK citizens currently living in Europe, a point brushed over by Mr Mathew, who suggests any offer from the UK “will be followed by the same commitment to British citizens.”

I would ask why then is the EU refusing to make any such concession in advance of the declaration of Article 50?

To those who say it is wrong that people are used as political pawns may I suggest, it has always been thus and it will continue long after the Brexit negotiations have been concluded.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

Time for a clean up

THIS weekend sees the Great British Spring Clean being organised under the auspices of Keep Britain Tidy.

Two local groups have registered their participation in Chiseldon and Eldene. Sadly, the demise of street-cleaning services has resulted in many areas of Swindon experiencing long-standing problems with litter.

As a consequence, the multi-million investment in town centre renewal and on-going housing developments are clearly undermined in the wake of how our town and its surrounding communities are becoming victim of a widely held perception ‘dirty old town.’

Clearly, much of the problem stems from a lack of personal responsibility. Each item of litter strewn on our streets once had an owner.

Whether it is one street/road or an area the size of Swindon, the extent to which the problem has become so widespread clearly gives the message ‘no one cares’ which then creates the potential for other problems such as graffiti which then impacts upon the general confidence of people who live in those communities.

Look closely, we have a problem in Swindon and its surrounding areas. How can we respond together?

PAUL SUNNERS

Chiseldon

We must stand firm

EVERYONE who believes in democracy, whether they voted to stay in or leave Europe, must now clearly realise what we are all up against.

We are facing the establishment, politicians and The House of Lords, all spouting their bleeding heart, 'we know better than you nonsense'.

They are all now beginning to crawl out from behind their fifth columns in defiance of the will of the majority of the people.

Apologies to all the true patriots amongst them who voted in favour of the democratic decision of the electorate.

Cameron the quitter, an ex-Tory Prime Minister writing in the left wing Guardian about giving away other people’s money in Foreign Aid.

An unelected House of Lords on £300 a day for turning up and then defying a decision by the people, as well as their elected representatives in the House of Commons.

Supreme Court judges playing the same game, on behalf of the wife of a Hedge Fund millionaire.

If the law is so black and white, why was their decision not unanimous instead of a split decision?

Some of them want another referendum, including Nefarious Nicola. Best of three, best of five? Until us plebs vote for what they decide we should, in their best interests, not ours.

This is a regular modus operandi tactic from Juncker and his cohorts. I firmly believe if the referendums on Scottish independence and the Disintegrating Disunion were held again they would show a much larger increase in the majority vote for Scotland remaining part of the UK and Britain voting to leave the Disunion.

Scare tactics do not frighten true Brits. Neither does gerrymandering with the democratic system of a free sovereign nation. It just makes them more determined than ever to stand their ground and win the day

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon

Problems on road

RE the letter from Mr Maw, while I agree with his comments regarding previously speeding drivers, I do feel that some lane markings are misleading.

When exiting Slade Drive to go around to the Retail Park one seems to be led into the right hand lane which then is marked A420, necessitating a left hand turn across to reach said Retail Park.

On another subject, may I point out that the new crossing in Bridge End Road seems to exist to allow customers on foot across to the Dockle Inn.

A very poor necessity compared with lives risked daily by Swindon Borough Council’s refusal to allow a similar crossing on Oxford Road to and from the Whilestone Way bus stop. Speeders make no allowance for pedestrians attempting to cross.

RODNEY J M WIRDNAM

Whilestone Way, Swindon

Keep MPs out of class

I AM growing increasingly concerned about the amount of time MPs appear to be spending visiting schools not only in Swindon but across the country. It is now becoming a weekly occurrence in our town.

By all means encourage politics in the classroom but it is not appropriate for those with a political agenda to be present. One may see it as a form of grooming political ideology and this needs to stop.

MARTIN COSTELLO

Swindon