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What are the new British values?

With the nation’s children returning to school this week, I read with interest recently that, since 2015, the government dictates that all schoolchildren must be taught about fundamental British values.

According to Ofsted, fundamental British values are: 1, democracy, 2, the rule of law, 3, individual liberty and 4, mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

Last Wednesday, the government decided to ignore point one, democracy.

It has suspended our sovereign parliament (elected in 2017 by 32.2m people) for five weeks in order to prevent itself being held to account during what is arguably the most important time in our postwar history.

On Sunday the Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove decided to ignore point two, rule of law.

When asked on the Marr Show whether the government would abide by any legislation passed by parliament in relation to Brexit (in the drastically reduced time they have been given), he stated it would “have to see what the legislation says.”

In other words it may not.

Can I also take from this that I will be able to pick and choose which laws I abide by from now on as well ?

Given its actions over the last week, will the government be reissuing the guidelines to schools on British values?

It is clear that, whilst they may have been fundamental British values in the past, it is also clear that this is no longer the case.

Graham Cole, Old Town, Swindon

MPs voted against wishes of the people

Tonight as I watched the television and the vote to stop a no deal Brexit.

After over three years of treachery, I do not use that word lightly. The conservative remainers and their cohorts have finally crept out of the closet.

They have voted against the wishes of the people. They have tried to keep this country tied to the European Disunion.

That will mean joining the Euro and joining a European army in the near future.

Sovereignty would then be gone forever after centuries steeped in blood to uphold our freedom. They knew that when they all voted.

Surely the arrogant intransigence illustrated by the unelected bureaucrats in Brussels has made many remain voters think twice.

If Boris Johnson has any sure thoughts regarding winning a general election and then implementing a successful and fair deal to both sides regarding Brexit, or no deal if they reject that. He will make a pact with Nigel Farage.

I always remember the scene in Braveheart when Edward the first takes an arrow out of a quiver and snaps it in two.

He then takes all of the arrows out.

But even with all his might he cannot snap them in two.

Brexiteers, united we stand, divided we fall.

The stakes could not be any higher. We become a free sovereign nation again trading with the rest of the world. Controlling our borders and making our own decisions.

Or this once proud nation becomes a vassal state ruled by Brussels.

In my personal opinion the Brussels Bungling Buffoons all hold a first class honours degree in financial disaster, high youth unemployment and mass immigration causing civil unrest.

Bill Williams, Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon