FREE PRESS LETTERS: Tuesday, January 29
We’re very fortunate to have this MP
It’s easy to only write in when one wants to complain, so instead I want to commend our excellent local MP, Sir John Hayes, for everything he does for our area.
His eloquent weekly column really is one of the ‘must read’ parts of your fine newspaper. From standing up for the poorest among us over funeral poverty, to campaigning on behalf of diabetics, his work in Parliament and his constituency is fantastic.
Sir John speaks in the House of Commons every week, it often seems a number of times. In the last year alone I’ve heard him campaigning for veterans, to save parks and green spaces, and recently I heard him in a Parliamentary debate, challenging the Government to introduce tougher sentences for thugs, thieves and violent criminals.
That’s not to mention his long work championing the cause of children with learning difficulties. We’re very fortunate to represented by such a committed local MP.
Michael Richards
Spalding
Government blew the chance
All the Brexit “deals” on offer involve payment to the EU without any right to a vote on policy matters.
Our American colonies fought a war against us when we inflicted that upon them.
Politicians ignored demands for female suffrage for years, they thought women were too stupid or ignorant to be allowed a vote. They are now ignoring Leavers, again sure only Parliament knows best.
We obtained a referendum without violence, unlike the ladies or the Americans. Parliament needs to understand the the British people are sovereign, not them. We voted first to leave and then in the general election, on the very specific understanding that World Trade Organisation terms would be our way out if a good deal was not possible.
The problems we now have are the responsibility of party politicians, especially the Conservative leadership, for deliberately starting from the weakest possible base and the answer to them is simple.
Sadly no good deal is available, our government blew the chance. Leave without one under WTO terms, as Parliament has already agreed and then start negotiating again from a much stronger position.
There are South Holland District Council elections in May and candidates are already canvassing. Should one knock on your door, be sure to ask where they stand on Brexit. Those who stand under party colours need to have one, it’s the most important issue for over 40 years and South Holland voted overwhelmingly to leave.
It affects us all greatly. Just don’t tell them your own opinion first, so they can’t tailor their answer.
Coun Paul Foyster
Holbeach
Taking back control of our country
It is unfortunate that Mr Meekings seems to be confused about the clear plan which Vote Leave outlined for our departure from the EU.
The plan was, and still is quite simple – Take Back Control of our laws, borders, and economy. In summary, the plan is to Take Back Control of our country. Much of this has already been done. Parliament triggered Article 50, and passed the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 – both of which were supported by more than 90 per cent of our MPs.
The final act will be the trade deal. Then the process of our departure from the EU is complete. I know this is anathema to the enemies of democracy, but March 29, at 11am is enshrined in law as the date and time when we leave the EU.
What happens next?
The best option is the Super Canada Free Trade Deal which was offered by the EU in March 2018. It is better than the deal secured by Canada, South Korea and Japan – hence its name ‘Super’ Canada.
Option 2. The EU removes the backstop from Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement. The deal would then pass through Parliament.
Option 3 is to Leave with ‘No Deal’ and this is the default option if no deal is struck by March 29. Despite all the scare stories, no deal is no problem. This is how we currently trade with the USA, Australia, China, India and most of the world that is not in the EU.
In many ways I like the ‘No Deal’ option because it allows us complete autonomy in terms of trade and regulation. The UK becomes a highly competitive, low tax, low regulation economy that acts as a magnet for international trade
As I have said many times before – the risks of remaining in the EU are far greater, than the risks associated with leaving. The EU is going the way of the Dodo.
Craig Jackson
Vote Leave Constituency Co-Ordinator
South Holland & The Deepings
Let’s get on with the Brexit we voted for
Do not be afraid of March 29 – the date we are due to the leave the EU.
It is a date which offers wonderful opportunities for the UK, when we can be free to embrace trade across the world.
No longer will we be dragged back by EU institutions. Of course, there will be ups and downs but we can control our own destiny and open up to worldwide trade.
Remember, there are 164 countries trading under World Trade Organisation rules and from day one we can be liberated and trade freely.
Let us have pride in our country and wonderful entrepreneurs and business people we have by investing in our country and in its people.
The EU model is failing – just look at Germany which is now skirting with recession.
Brexit offers us a fantastic opportunity – so let’s get on with what the British people voted for and embrace it.
Margot Parker
MEP for the East Midlands
Parliament needs to do what we told them to
We don’t need another Neverendum; the proof of the Brexit pudding is in the eating
The current Brexit impasse and clamour for another referendum have prompted the launch of liberalbrexiteers.com which revisits the case for Brexit from a liberal point of view and endeavours to reassure those in Spalding who voted for Brexit over two years ago that we took the right decision to leave the EU, an outdated idea whose time has gone.
Our future international relations must be less focused on the seven per cent of the world’s population who live in the EU and more with the 93 per cent who do not.
Calls for another Brexit ballot are wrong-headed. The last referendum cost £137million, lasted four months and was highly divisive. A second referendum and/or a third general election in the space of four years will achieve nothing other than accentuate these divisions.
Moreover, another referendum subverts the democratic rule that we vote in the light of our experience, on the understanding that we may vote differently in a following ballot if things do not work out.
We have to experience Brexit first before we can make a judgement. We can always decide to renew our membership of the EU in the future if our experience of Brexit indicates that our leaving was a mistake but the proof of the Brexit pudding is in the eating, not in endless speculation about how palatable it will be.
So we don’t need another ballot; we just need Parliament to do what we told them to do after they decided to ask us what we wanted. LibDem, Labour and Conservative politicians started this hare running in 2015 when they united to vote for a referendum. They must unite now to deliver Brexit.
David Green
via email
Lidl need more than five disabled parking spaces
Regarding your story: ‘Lidl to open new Spalding store by the end of the year’, I see they are only having five disabled parking spaces.
They could do with more as it is very often a job for anybody with a blue badge to get a parking slot.
Wendy Nichols
via email
Many of us are disabled
Five parking spaces for the disabled at Lidl’s new store in Spalding, is totally insufficient. I would say 70 per cent of their regular clientele will be pensioners and a lot of us are disabled. Five spaces will not be enough.
Terry Cartwright
Pinchbeck
