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Brexit pain is needless

Liz Webster the Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate states “We had a referendum, it was horrible, too many people made the wrong decision. For me Brexit means disaster.”

This theme is perpetuated on a regular basis by a few correspondents to the Adver Letter pages.

In his most recent missive John Stooke, a man I admire for his political conviction and social principles, suggest it was only a “tiny majority of those who bothered to vote who are making the running for the most acrimonious, most nasty and most destructive of breakdowns in relations with our only real friends in the world.” (SA 11 May)

To which I can only say ‘with friends like Juncker who needs enemies?’ Sadly, John joins Liz Webster in diminishing the capacity of the British people to ‘think for themselves’ by stating ‘millions voted out whereas in reality they should have been doing the opposite’ In John’s world the 17 million who voted out are wrong and he is right – just how condescending is that?

What is clear is that many people made a decision with which they didn’t agree, that is not the same as making the wrong decision.

John displays all the anger of a sore loser, seeking to find new ways to thwart the will of the people and in the process using the seemingly reasonable argument of ‘if you’re confident of your argument what is there to fear by asking for another referendum?’

To follow John’s logic would mean that all elections could be subject to a re-run on the basis that:

1. Not enough people voted

2. Too many voted the wrong way

3. We should have another vote to validate any decision

4. I don’t like the result.

We have electoral rules. However, we don’t have a threshold figure which must be passed before a vote has legitimacy. The referendum vote saw one of the largest voter turnouts for decades (considerably higher than the recent parish council elections) and more than 17 million people, or 52 per cent of the vote, decided it was time we left the EU.

It’s called the exercise of democracy – sadly, some people choose not to vote. Harold Wilson famously suggested that a vote not cast should be considered a vote for the winning side on the basis that a non voter would favour the majority view.

John regurgitates the stories about the lies told by those favouring the leave option; he ignores the fantasies expressed by the remain side.

However, the British people listened to both sides of the argument, they weighed up the doomsday scenario conjured up by George Osbourne and the dire warnings made by world leaders and guess what, they still voted to leave the political construct of the EU.

Our friends in Europe are not the same people who would seek to punish us for our impudence in voting ‘leave.’

The politicians and bureaucrats in Brussels are most certainly not our friends, they represent self interest and power and do not offer an honest reflection of the views and opinions of the people of 27 countries.

How could they, as they have never asked them for their view? It could be said that they are afraid to ask the people for their view in case they vote Grexit or Frexit.

Brexit need not be painful – it will only be so because Mr Juncker and his friends (not ours) have determined that in order to protect the EU ideal of greater federalisation and deter others from taking a similar path the UK must be punished.

Acting out of pique they are willing to cut off their nose to spite their face and in doing so are prepared to damage the poorer countries of the EU.

DES MORGAN, Caraway Drive, Swindon

Junction signposted

AS A Road Safety Practitioner I read with interest the comments about the recent crashes at the Junction at Bath Road and New Road in Royal Wootton Bassett.

I have never envisaged a problem at that junction if one pays attention. Emma Crockatt stated: “I’m on Bath Road which is supposed to be 30mph but there is no signage to indicate that, from the High Street/RWB side of the road.”

Due to the fact that the area has the required street lighting there are 30mph limit signs as you come into Royal Wootton Bassett from any direction and only when the street lighting is not in place do you have a need for repeater signs.

So, effectively the signs are there from the entry, changing to the posted limit on exit from Swindon, Whitehall Lane, Marlborough Road and Lyneham - well they were there the last time I drove through a few days ago!

The Highway Code gives the advice on this. If everyone drove to the conditions there would be very few consequences.

I do acknowledge that drivers etc, coming from the High Street, down the hill do not plan for other motorists, the pedestrian crossing or the crossroads, so it is inevitable that these things happen.

Some engineering features do help, but if all of the signs were taken away, people would have to adapt their driving based on their view at the time and also be able to stop within the distance they can see to be clear, on their own side of the road.

So drive with ‘EMMA’ in the car - Eyes Moving Mind Alert!

CHRIS GLEED (FAIRSO), Proud Close, Purton

NHS computer idea

IN REPLY to Steve Halden (May 18) the NHS definitely does need a more secure operating system.

You don’t have to be a computer expert to realise that there is something very wrong after the NHS computers crashed and were off line for several days.

There is an alternative operating system called Linux. It is not in common use. Only about two per cent of computers use Linux.

This is a free system. It probably can’t do as many fancy tricks as the more expensive operating systems. But after the disaster at the NHS and all around the world, people might be open to considering Linux a possible alternative operating system.

TERRY HAYWARD, Burnham Road, Swindon

Join the challenge

INDEPENDENT Age, the older people’s charity, is launching the 100 in10 challenge, which invites participants to cover a total of 100km in 10 weeks in any way they choose.

All donations will go towards the charity’s work towards helping older people stay independent for as long as possible.

Participants can take part in the challenge either as an individual or a team.

Those who take part can walk, run, swim, cycle or be as creative as they like to reach the ‘100’ target in 10 weeks.

Independent Age is an older people’s charity that provides regular friendly contact, a strong campaigning voice and free, impartial advice on the issues that matter to older people: care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.

Sign up for the 100in10 challenge now at www.independentage.org/100in10.

JANET MORRISON, Chief executive, Independent Age

Our care was good

I FIND it very disturbing to read adverse comments about the NHS.

My wife and I have recently had operations at Emersons Green and Great Western Hospital, during which time the service and care was of the highest possible order.

These nursing staff need congratulating for their effort to make the best of difficult times.

I was once told if there is a problem of bottlenecks, just look at the bottle, the neck is always at the top.

STEVE PASCALL, The Green, Marlborough

Sign needs rethink

I WAS pleased to read in the SA last week about all the people who have been caught in the Outlet Village bus lane.

It happened to a good friend of mine when she came from Oxford to spend time with me.

I am sure with so many people missing this sign, which is prominent, according to our council, it needs a rethink.

But with the money raised from these fines why would the council listen? They don’t normally.

Oh well, there’s always Specsavers.

MRS S GILES, Bodiam Drive, Toothill, Swindon

Dog not to blame

TO ANN Pollard: While I agree dogs do cause damage and suffering, the swan at Shaftesbury Lake was poisoned, so it’s humans to blame this time.

All of the people in the area on swan watch have tried to keep the cob fed and looked after. We’re all hoping he manages to bring his brood into the world.

Then we have to start worrying about humans and animals – not just dogs.

DENISE JACKSON, Whitbourne Road, Swindon

Market is needed

REFERENCE the Tented Market. If the flats go ahead why not have the ground floor area as another market area so that the tradition carries on? We have enough restaurants and coffee shops.

GERRY TAYLOR, Newcastle Street, Swindon