LETTERS

Say no to Customs deal

DAVID DAVIS should not be talking about a temporary Customs agreement with the EU nor even acknowledging that the UK might pay for access to one.

This would cause uncertainty in the UK while giving the EU continued access to our market and the ability to scupper our trade negotiations with other countries.

Mr Davis must implement the will of the UK people. With 400,000 German car industry jobs dependent on the UK market, the EU will be facing massive job losses if it does not agree to our terms.

PETER BOOTH, Altrincham, Gtr Manchester.

Memory tricks

THE world is littered with former child prodigies who have gone on to sail the seas of mediocrity. With a few exceptions, such as Mozart and Picasso, ability in childhood does not necessarily lead to a great contribution in their chosen fields.

However, as we’ve seen in the TV show Child Genius (Mail), there’s a tendency to equate a photographic memory or an ability to retain trivial information with intelligence.

There is a world of difference between creating or achieving something original and regurgitating obscure facts and information. PAUL CHARLES COOK,

Huddersfield, W. Yorks. THE children with high IQs reminded me of the saying: has the mental ability to work out the cubic capacity of an irregular shaped pickle jar, but doesn’t know how to open it.

C. LOWSON, Fareham, Hants.

Lessons of history

THERE was a range of responses to the commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele.

Some people recollect a distant relative among that number and regard it as a British tragedy, though soldiers came from across the world to die in the mud. Others recognise the loss of the lives of young Germans.

Some describe ‘ lions led by donkeys’, a condemnation of the class system. Others consider the battle shows warfare is mankind’s insanity. Others see that attitude as a betrayal of the selfless courage of those who gave their all.

Do you believe the past must shape future civilisation? It happened again in 1939, and might yet confront our children, but we are no nearer to agreeing the ethical lessons that history teaches. C. N. WESTERMAN, Brynna, Mid Glam.

Dignity in death

I AGREE that Stan McMurtry’s late wife, Elizabeth, should have been allowed to die a peaceful death in Switzerland after her physical and mental suffering (Mail). It is time we showed compassion to those who no longer want to lead a miserable and painful life, provided strict controls protect them from those hoping to gain from their death.

Pets who suffer are helped to die, but people are expected to endure a wretched existence.

If we are mentally sound and have had enough, our wishes should be respected. After all, it is our life.

Mrs ANN LANDER, Salisbury, Wilts.

Soft touch justice

AS A former magistrate, I’m appalled by the leniency of the punishment handed down to the Polish model who stole from Harrods (Mail).

There were no mitigating circumstances for her crime, only aggravating issues such as her ability to pay for the goods. It’s instances such as this that anger the public, who often view magistrates as a soft touch, and I hope the Lord Chancellor will review this case and speak to the magistrate involved.

TERRY McDONALD-DORMAN, Middleton St George, Co. Durham.

Making the grade

WHY don’t we abolish exams and just give everyone a lollipop?

Most people who get good grades work for them. But not everyone is going to be a brain surgeon; we still need street sweepers.

Changing the A- level marking system belittles the work of earlier students. We must accept that some can’t make the grade.

You might not do well at school, but if you are willing to work hard in life, you can succeed. Mrs DOROTHY DOBSON,

Beccles, Suffolk. REDUCING A-level grades would reflect badly on the teaching establishment, which considers all teachers as well as all pupils to be quite brilliant.

And if fewer pupils got the grades necessary for a third-level education, how could university staff justify their overrated salaries?

A. R. STEAD, Loftus, N. Yorks.

Heads in the clouds

I CHECKED the weather forecast the night before for my local area and it was ‘dry’.

At 8am it was raining, yet the local forecast still claimed it was ‘dry’.

The local weather forecast looking ahead for the rest of the day was ‘chance of rain’, but changed to ‘rain’ when it carried on pouring.

Is someone looking out of their kitchen window and changing the forecast as it happens? It wouldn’t be so bad if weather forecasters apologised or even acknowledged that they can get it wrong.

C. BAKER, Penrith, Cumbria.

Where are the police?

WHAT is the point of taking photos of lorry drivers texting, reading and eating at the wheel (Mail) if nothing