LETTERS

Never again

AS A BRITISH Jew, i would like to explain why anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is a concern.

Winston Churchill said: ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ Jews recognise that the words and actions emanating from Labour are exactly the kind that came from the Nazi Party in the thirties. We remember where that led and we say: ‘Never again.’

it is key to remember hitler did not confine his evil actions to Jews. We should s be aware of where this could end up. it starts with Jews, the canaries in the mine, but ends up with everyone e else they don’t like.

ADRIAN KORSNER, London N20.

Threat to security

If it wasn’t for the RAF, and the Spitfire in particular, we may have lost the Battle of Britain and even World W War ii.

So it is sheer folly that the 250-yearold British engineering giant GKN, the manufacturer of the Spitfire, faces beingb sold to corporate asset strippers Melrose, who have made no secret of their intention to maximise financial gaing from this takeover.

the security of the West is based on the military strength of Nato, with the majority of its fighting capability comingc from the UK and the U.S.

GKN supplies key equipment and components for the military, but could end up being owned by a company based in a country whose leaders may not share the military objectiveso of Britain and our allies.

the Government is wrong not to block the sale of GKN on the grounds of national security.

Melrose’s promises are as worthless asa those given by Kraft before it took overo Cadbury. that Business Secretary Greg Clark uses them as reassurance is embarrassing.

it seems the survival of GKN, and maybe even the security of Nato, lies with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Let’s hope he’s got more mettle than his Cabinet colleague. ANGUS LONG, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Get the right price

AS A FORMER NHS purchasing officer, i am amazed at the naivety of tthe Government over the passports printing contract.

the first maxim taught to any purchasing officer is caveat emptor — buyer beware.

You look at the price, then investigate the bidder’s financial history. You don’t want to award the contract to a company that will fail to deliver and then expect the taxpayer to step in to make up the difference.

in the case of the new passport contract, one of the first points to consider must be national security. this week’s strikes in France highlight another issue, and there are also the challenges of Brexit.

the estimated cost saving of awarding the passport contract to a foreign company could be negligible ccompared to the risks involved.

RON DAVIS, Bath. MOST people who get quotes for a job do not take the cheapest deal or the t most expensive.

the cheap deal often leads to shortcuts s and inferior work. in the case c of printing passports, i would imagine i ink and paper would cost roughly the same anywhere in Europe, so the vast variation in cost between De La rue and the other tenders must be because of wages paid to their workforce, or company greed.

When dealing with the Government or local councils, contractors often raise their quotes because they think the public purse is bottomless. De La rue should have put in a keen price that would still have made it a reasonable profit.

PAUL WATKIN, Bungay, Suffolk.

Harry’s common touch

WOULDN’t it be a great idea if Prince harry was appointed as the next head of the Commonwealth after the Queen.

harry and Meghan have strong links with many countries and have a natural rapport with people. i am sure the Commonwealth would be in good hands under harry. SHEILA ATTWATER,

Swindon, Wilts.

NHS money pit

Putting up taxes to fund the NHS is like pushing wheelbarrows of money into a bottomless pit. All the extra billions have had little effect. Beds are still being lost, wards closed and operations cancelled.

the problem is down to the number of managers being taken on, while the cost of management consultants hired to tell them how to do their jobs has soared.

having spent a few days on a ward after an operation, i have seen this first-hand. if we start getting value for our money, we’d be more than happy to pay extra for the NHS.

RICHARD WOSKETT, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.

Multi-skilled MPs

WHY do MPs tap away on their mobile phones during debates in the house of Commons (Letters)?

As a former parliamentary researcher, i can tell you that in order to be called to speak in a debate, an MP has to be seen by the Speaker to be in the Parliamentary chamber from the start.

if lots of MPs want to speak, they may have to remain in the chamber for several hours. it is a much better use of an MP’s time to listen to the debate while answering constituents’ inquiries by email via their phone.

this increased productivity is better value for the money that taxpayers pay to support MPs. Dr DAVID LOWRY, Stoneleigh, Surrey.

Failed by Facebook

FOUR years ago, i joined Facebook to see some wedding photos and never looked at it again. this week my granddaughter told me to check my page. Apparently, i am into porn,

drugs, threesomes and heavy metal, whatever that is.

My old friends would say they all knew I would come to no good! My six grandchildren thought it was hilarious.

I couldn’t work out how to remove my profile and had to pay an IT expert to do it.

SHIRLEY HARRIES, Angmering, W. Sussex.

I should be so lucky

AFTER reading the sad tale of poor Kylie Minogue, who is worried about being left an old maid, I have decided to offer myself as her boyfriend.

Instead of dating men 20 years her junior who go off with the first supermodel who comes along, she needs someone 20 years older.

I’ve never been troubled by supermodels, and I have plenty to offer: I get free prescriptions and Kylie would never have to pay my bus fare. RICHARD MARTIN,

Hazlemere, Bucks.

Don’t lend a hand

AFTER recovering from flu, Joan Collins says she will never shake hands or kiss cheeks again (Mail).

When I was introduced to Jane Fonda, I attempted to shake her hand. She extended the tips of her fingers.

How cold and aloof is this silly paranoia. VIV CREEGOR, London NW11.

Babylift hero

VANCE McELHINNEY, one of the Vietnamese children who were rescued by the Daily Mail in 1975’s Operation Babylift, has recently been reunited with his birth mother.

The one person left out of this story was my father Roy McDowall, the civil servant who made it all possible. Without Dad sorting out all the legalities, the rescue wouldn’t have happened. He was beside the runway when the flight landed.

As a child, I met many of the rescued youngsters at the Ockenden Venture children’s home in Surrey where they were given refuge. SUSAN FEASEY, address supplied.

Bring on Brexit

WHY do we only ever hear gloom and doom about postBrexit Britain?

Is it going to be worse than the world wars, during which we as a nation fought and died to prevent our country being ruled by the Germans?

Our parents and grandparents would be ashamed of the whingeing and complaining about post-Brexit hardship.

Perhaps we won’t be able to afford a takeaway coffee on the way to the office, but if that is suffering, bring it on.

It is time we stood up and realised why we voted to leave EU control and got on with the job. If a hard Brexit is needed, so be it. I am sure we will survive as we have many times before. KEN BRIERLEY, Bury, Gtr Manchester.