Letters - January 23, 2018

In life many of us live by the dictum ‘deeds not words’ meaning talk can be cheap and we should primarily judge on actions. So what of our minority Tory government?

In terms of both deeds, and now words from some of their MPs and prominent media supporters, we are seeing a truly terrifying synergy.

We have an appalling government addicted to the failed dogma of austerity.

Since 2010 most workers have seen their pay cut as a result of wage freezes, one in five workers earn below the living wage, poverty has sky-rocketed, living standards are flatlining and social mobility has plummeted. They have created an unprecedented crisis in the NHS and are privatising it.

Every other public service is also in crisis and subject to massive cuts including, a third fewer firefighters and 20,000 fewer police.

These deeds have made Britain less wealthy, less healthy, less happy, and have immiserated millions.

So what of words? According to the Conservative Youth co-ordinator, Ben Bradley MP (pictured), the poor should be sterilised and our public servants should quit if they don’t think they’re paid enough!

Added to that was the appointment of a man to the universities watchdog who thinks working class students are “stains” and has made obscene comments about starving children.

Unbelievably Theresa May has supported both of them. So now we see hear the vicious words of those committing the vicious deeds. We are truly governed by the worst among us.

James Sorah

Blackpool Against Cuts

ENVIRONMENT

It’s up to you to save world from plastic

When I was a child I used to do what was then called ‘errands’ for my mum. I would take her bags and shopping list along with a basket for loose veg, using them on the outward trip to carry returnable bottles to her chosen shop.

Root veg, carrots, potatoes, onions would be weighed straight into my basket. Butter and cheese was cut off large blocks and wrapped in greaseproof paper. Bacon was sliced on a bacon slicer. Biscuits were in glass topped tin boxes and you looked in, chose what you wanted and the shop assistant came with her brown paper bags and weighed your choice for you so it was hygienically done. Sugar, rice and dry goods were in paper wrapping and so forth while the delight of choosing sweets from a glass jar on the shelf was and still is memorable. Milk and cream by the way came from the dairy, the milkman or the shop.

I know people work now and want things quickly, but so they did then and we got by. The choice has to be yours to decide that if you want to save our planet from plastic and unnecessary packaging then we have to rethink our life styles, and yes... maybe suffer a little inconvenience while doing so.

And it can be done easily. We have three food outlets near to where I live only one of which (and possibly soon to go) is a small supermarket type store. They all sell fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheese, fresh meat, fish and bakery items loose and most of it along with dairy products are locally sourced so giving employment to other small businesses in the area. It may cost slightly more to shop at them but it actually is cost effective as you simply buy just what you need, no more and a lot less than piling all and sundry into a trolley. You can still go by car and park so no heavy lugging of full bags about. And yes! I do still use supermarkets from time to time. Just offering food for thought!

Add to this that the quality is superb. Job sorted!

Christine Cross

Address supplied

APPEAL

Help us achieve our lifesaving vision

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation’s heart charity and the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research.

Our pioneering research has helped to transform the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions and our vision is a world where people don’t die prematurely from heart disease.

To help continue to the fight to save lives we desperately need your help!

The BHF has over 500 shops in the UK, and five on the Fylde coast, which are all dependent on the very generous donations from the public. Can you help by donating clothing, books, CDs and DVDs, household goods, furniture and electrical?

We offer a completely free collection service from your home. Please telephone 01253 850161. To find out more information about the British Heart Foundation and the research that we fund to help save so many lives then please visit www.bhf.org.uk

Thank you very much for your support.

Georgina McCann

Area Manager
British Heart Foundation