YEP Letters: November 17

Those who fight for a better world

John Appleyard, Liversedge

I’ve just been reading a wonderful quotation of Indira Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister: “There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.”

Throughout history establishment figures have ridden on the backs of those who fought for a better world. A few examples from history are the groups of people who fought against slavery, apartheid and women’s right to vote.

These causes were opposed by the establishment at the time, denouncing those who wanted change as trouble causers and lunatics.

But once the movement for change became popular and unstoppable it brought about changes in the minds of those in authority who decided to take credit for these reforms! Proving Indira Gandhi right.

Bureaucratic disconnect spoils city’s look

Paul Furness, by email

Aisha Iqbal’s report of the New Briggate improvements (YEP November 16) has left me a tad despondent.

My initial enthusiasm for the scheme has been deflated by the comments of Coun Richard Lewis.

Taking the Grand Theatre (its not THAT long ago that the council wanted to knock it down) as a metaphor for the street, “in many ways its not so grand”, he says, “a plethora of take aways and what-have-you”.

It’s that “what-have-you” that gets me - it says more about snobbery than it does about the shops on the street which, he continues, “serve a purpose...and if you are catching a late night bus home., you can always get something to eat”.

It’s been DECADES since anyone in Leeds caught a late night bus home as they do not exist! It’s this bureaucratic disconnect from the city that spoils how good it looks - witness the obliteration of the developing China Town and the awful aesthetic mess that is today’s “refurbished” market (councillors should be disciplined if they think it looks good. It’s a mess) which our elected representatives don’t seem able to see.

And for the likeable Lucinda Yeadon to say “as we move forward with our bid for the capital of culture” - something I am 100% and more behind, by the way - “its these kind of schemes which will make us very different to the rest”.

It is not. Urban landscaping - and £5 million won’t buy much - is something that happens in cities all the time.

New paving stones and getting rid of take aways do NOT put culture into a bid of this stature!

Country must not lose medical expertise

Dr Andrew Dearden, Treasurer, British Medical Association.

THAT so many EU doctors are actively planning to leave the UK is a cause for real concern.

Many have dedicated years of service to the NHS and medical research in the UK, and without them our health service would not be able to cope.

We need clarity on what the future holds for EU citizens and their families living in the UK, and an end to the uncertainty and insecurity that could see many voting with their feet.

It’s also vital that any future immigration system is flexible enough to ensure the NHS can recruit and retain doctors and other NHS workers in sufficient numbers. Our NHS and patient care are all the richer for having a diverse workforce – it’s crucial we don’t lose valuable experience and expertise because of Brexit.

Just taxation is cornerstone

Philip Crowther, by email

THE Paradise papers are a continuation of the exposures of those amongst us who continue to enjoy their vast wealth either inherited or earned, but are too greedy to accept paying the just demands from HMRC that the rest of us agree to do.

A decent society with the services needed is dependent on this contract being fulfilled.

From business high-fliers, show business participants and the like, it is no surprise that some bad apples show their true colours like any cross section of society, but the reported inclusion of the Queen’s finances is a bitter pill to swallow.

For her accountants to invest one penny of her riches in anything other than supporting British industry and services is to me unacceptable.

Injustice needs to be addressed

Brett Dixon,President, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

When hospitals, the police, local authorities or other offices of the State are involved in an inquest, they often have legal representation funded by the public purse.

Yet the family suffering a bereavement, sometimes in the most terrible circumstances, is likely to be refused the same publicly-funded legal aid.

Without professional support at a coroner’s hearing, distressed relatives are likely to be seriously 
disadvantaged.

They are completely unfamiliar with the process and could miss the 
opportunity to ask the right questions, or they may have to give evidence without any guidance.

Some high-profile cases have drawn attention to the plight of bereaved families and I have no doubt that there are readers who have experienced the unlevel playing field first-hand. The Home Secretary’s adviser on the Hillsborough disaster, the Right Reverend James Jones, has now said there is a “pressing need” for families to be represented.

This cannot be yet another missed opportunity to address this injustice.

Just get on with Brexit

Derrick Bond, Shadwell

Congratulations to Sir James Dyson for urging Government ministers to ignore the EU’s divorce bill and simply walk away.

If only more of our business people would promote Britain in such a positive manner. Sir James should be invited to be our Brexit minister.

We have at last someone prepared not only to talk tough, but to take decisive action. Theresa May and David Davies should take a leaf out of Sir James book and just get on with Brexit and we will all be better off.

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