Steer clear of Trump on trip to America
AS a Manchester United fan, can I make a plea to the club not to arrange any kind of meeting with Donald Trump if they tour the USA this summer (‘Clash of the Titans,’ M.E.N., February 28).
The M.E.N. reports that a game against Barca is being discussed, which is great for the club and fans. But the match would be played in Washington DC, we’re told, and therefore the temptation to visit the White House to see the US president just might be too much.
As a United fan, any contact between Trump and my favourite team would be utterly dismaying – and I hope I speak for many more fans.
Sir Alex, please take note. Your influence may be sorely needed in the event of any discussions to meet what to my mind is the worst US president in the modern era. I am sure you, too, would not want to see this great football club tainted by such a dire political association.
As for Barcelona, they surely won’t want to go anywhere near a president who is intent on bullying its Spanish-speaking neighbour, Mexico.
As the fight goes on to eradicate racism from football, which is a sport infused with an intense internationalist flavour, I believe it would be a PR disaster for Manchester United to go anywhere near Trump’s administration. Let’s hope Trump is taking a long summer break at his summer “White House” in Florida if and when United arrive in Washington. Dave Hulme, Stockport
Memories of Sir Gerald...
VERY sad to hear of the death of the Father of the House at Westminster, Sir Gerald Kaufman, MP for Gorton.
A very talented and articulate MP whose desire and energy to try and find peace in the Middle East was commendable.
He was the first MP I encountered who championed the ordinary voice.
He invited me to address a Select Committee at Westminster on the sport of swimming as many swimming pools around the country faced the threat of closure.
I am grateful for his time, energy and commitment he gave to trying to find the right solution for his community and country. Savio D’Souza
MP did not impress me
I AM sorry but I have to disagree with Trevor Mooney’s letter regarding Gerald Kaufman
(Viewpoints, February 28) for the following reasons.
Firstly, I was born in Gorton in 1943 and lived there until I married in 1972 but visited my parents often until their death in the 80s. We had a thriving industrial area then in Peacocks, Gorton Tank, Qualcast and many others, yet all these disappeared whilst Mr Kaufman served as MP.
I am not saying he ignored us, but he was quite inconspicuous when everything was closing down.
My overriding impression of Mr Kaufman was going to Gorton Cross Street with my old mum and hearing some old ladies shouting at Mr Kaufman whilst he handed out leaflets.
When I asked my mum what the ladies were saying she replied: “He is wearing clothes that cost more than my old man earns in a year.”
Food for thought. JD, Ex Gorton Lane
Grey day for Remainers
SO, the dull grey man of politics, Sir John Major, has stood up and pontificated about Brexit. Well he can sit down again now and go back to the backwater creeks of discarded politicians and keep his negativity to himself.
Few had much time for his thoughts even when he was Prime Minister. And who now cares about his arrogant mutterings?
The government has vowed to make a success of our departure from the EU and it is depressing that Remainers like Major, Blair, Mandelson and Heseltine can’t get their head around democracy in action. Let us not forget that John Major is the man who took us into the Exchange Rate Mechanism in October 1990 and we know how disastrously that foray ended two years later.
Who is he to describe the EU as a “colossus’? A colossal folly more like. History will show he is as wrong about Brexit as he was about the ERM. Paul Nuttall, UKIP leader and North West MEP