October 13: Suicidal dinosaurs ruin the Royal Mail
With brilliant timing, the secretary and chairman of Northamptonshire Amalgamated Branch of the Communication Workers Union write in to make unsubstantiated allegations against Brian Binley, on the same day that their union is threatening to disrupt businesses across the nation by going on strike (Viewpoint, October 9).
It's taking some time to completely destroy the Royal Mail, but the CWU is taking it to the point that there won't be anything of value to attract the external investment that the Royal Mail so desperately needs, because its long-suffering customers will have gone elsewhere.
Maybe that's the plan of the suicidal dinosaurs that run the CWU.
On the point of Mr Binley's complaint to the Daily Telegraph, the reporting was sloppy and inaccurate, and when given the opportunity to correct the facts, the Telegraph chose not to, instead deciding to repeat the misleading information.
The distinction between a company and its directors and shareholders is a long standing principle of English law, and it should not be a cause for "public outrage" if an MP makes a claim for rental expenses at below the market rate for renting a flat from a limited company in which he has a shareholding.
Brian Binley works tirelessly for all the constituents of Northampton South and is an asset to the county. The Conservative Party set out its stall in the last week, giving an honest account of the state of the nation, and the work that is going to be needed to put it right after the last 12 years of catastrophic Labour mismanagement.
Mr Kunal Patel,
Grange Park, Northampton.
One of the great games of rugby
The Saints' defeat of Munster was one of the greatest games of rugby ever. I know because unlike Max Boyce, I was there!
I was an honorary steward at Twickenham for many years and have seen many great games at international level; this was as good as any of them. I feel sorry for them that think themselves self accursed, that they couldn't get tickets and be there, to shout the Saints to victory on Saturn's day.
The game was played at frantic speed and with great skill by both teams. Munster's 2,500 supporters were fantastic, but never out-shouted the Saints' faithful who were louder and nosier than ever as they sang their hymns and arias, led by Auntie Maggie and Uncle Keith who both bounced about like Tigger on speed in the directors' seats. I am sure they would be happier on the terrace.
My wife and I have blagged our way into the county horse and hound set behind the players' bench. These good folk rarely make any sort of noise apart from a polite clap if a great try is scored or an injured player is carted off to hospital or the undertakers.
Saturday they were singing Oh Wendy and cheering as loud as the terrace.
Anyway, thank you one and all at the Saints for giving Northampton good reason to have pride in ourselves. I can't stop smiling; see you all in Paris for the final.
John Wright,
Port Road, Northampton.
More traders leave the market
THE campaign to save Northampton market did not end when they moved us to the top half of the square. The campaign will continue as long as the market is endangered by the damaging policies that are being thrust upon it by local politicians.
Already, seven decent traders have left since the move. At least two of them were traders who have stood on Northampton market for very many years.
The local Lib-Dems live in a fantasy world fuelled by easy grant money, people intent only upon “events” without concern for the market they are gradually destroying.
If the market itself becomes smaller, it will naturally attract less and less customers, which means more traders leave, and so the market becomes even smaller.
I have my own website (fitzynorthampton) and it is always worth a regular read. It sometimes pokes fun at these local politicians in a humorous way, and helps to inform the world of what is going on here. I shall persist until they change their policies or until they are removed from power.
Councillor Richard Church is portfolio holder for regeneration of the town centre, and is the man largely responsible for the mess the market is in today.
Eamonn Fitzpatrick ,
Ridgeway, Northampton.
Obama prize in a world gone mad
I didn’t think that things could become any more ridiculous than when Tony Blair was given the job as envoy to the Middle East, but now Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mr Nobel, by the way, was the man who invented dynamite while Obama is the man at the forefront of the country that has entered into conflict with more than 50 other countries since the end of World War Two. The very same country that has more weapons of mass destruction (used on several occasions, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Vietnam for example) than the rest of the world put together while at the same time telling others that they can’t have any.
In my opinion, they’ve imposed their form of democracy at the end of a barrel of a metaphoric gun, while at the same time their last president scraped the “democratic” lead amid rumours of some dubious voting scams.
To top it all, I’ve heard today that US scientists have now bombed the moon. I certainly hope that those living on the dark side are a forgiving lot.
Is it me, or has the world gone mad?
Shaun Walton,
Smitherway, Bugbrooke.
Council must listen to parents
AS a councillor, I have received an overwhelming reaction from parents concerned and opposed to the academy plans for Weston Favell School.
Essentially, Weston Favell School has improving results and I believe that Northamptonshire County Council must respect the wishes of the governors and the parents and give the school more time.
Well done to Sally Keeble MP for taking this issue up and I hope Northamptonshire County Council listens to her, the governors and most importantly the parents.
Councillor Ifty Choudary,
Northampton Borough Council.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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