Election is PM’s bid to crush all dissent
ALTHOUGH the prime minister’s opportunism in pushing for a general election having ruled it out, and against the spirit of the Fixed Term Parliament Act, may seem a body blow to Labour and the opposition (if the Tory-backing press are to be believed in their opinion that Jeremy Corbyn is a liability) perhaps it is her way of absolving herself of responsibility for the cock-up of Brexit, as Liam Fox travels the world achieving nothing, Boris just upsets people, the pound sinks and prices rise.
Once again a Tory leader has wrong-footed an opposition party into a lose-lose position, where they can’t refuse doing their enemy’s bidding, as David Cameron did with Nick Clegg in 2010.
However, her dark mutterings about the (admittedly unelected) House of Lords which is a refreshingly independent check on governmental arrogance perhaps shows the true thinking - to crush or sidestep all dissent.
This was also manifestly a purpose of the ‘Great Repeal Bill’ which sought to give the government dictatorial powers akin to those of Henry VIII.
If you listen to her words and substitute ‘Conservative Party’ for ‘country’ it all makes sense – if you realise that the One Nation Conservative Party of Macmillan has been left behind and the brand sails on to serve different goals. M Vecolm, city centre
Inspiration in the hills?
SO it seems it took a sharp intake of that intoxicating Welsh air as she roamed the hills of Snowdonia to clear her head.
The prime minister’s pre-Easter break with husband, Phillip, in the foothills of Cadair Idris – a mountain steeped in myth and legend about which it is said bards would sleep on its summit to seek inspiration – produced Mrs May’s Damascene moment.
Finally she acknowledged the pleadings of her colleagues: A snap election was called for after all. She could crush Labour’s hopes for possibly a generation and boost her Brexit hand in the process.
Another myth surrounding the legendary mountain has it that should you fall asleep on its slopes you awake a poet – or completely mad.
I shall be following the forthcoming campaign with more than customary interest. Henry Matthews, Moston
Meters are not so smart
THE powers that be, aided and abetted by Ofgem, Which? and the media, mistakenly believe that by forcing everyone to have a smart meter, it will reduce energy consumption and bills.
They seem to think that consumers will be constantly looking at their meters to do this. That will not happen once the initial novelty has worn off.
How often do consumers look at their meters at present? Hardly ever I imagine until they get a bill and some of them will not do it even then.
The public are only interested in the cost of their bills. They can do something about it now without a smart meter by turning down heating thermostats, reducing their use of appliances and home installations which use energy, and switching supplier.
It is claimed that it will put an end to estimated bills. You do not have to pay an estimated bill now. If you receive one, all you need to do is phone the energy company with the correct reading(s) from the meter(s) and ask for a revised bill. It is as simple as that.
Smart Energy GB claim that the meters and their installation come at no extra cost and there won’t be any additional charges on your energy bill. That is not true. The enormous cost of producing, installing and maintaining them will be incorporated in the tariffs of the energy companies and thus paid by consumers.
Ofgem was set up to protect the consumer but has regularly failed to do so.
The only ones who will benefit are the energy companies who will not have to employ meter readers. They will continue to run rings round Ofgem and are laughing all the way to the bank.
This whole saga was instigated by the EU and is another reason why we should get out. R Swindells, Bolton
Search for USB stick...
ON Tuesday I was approached by an overseas student who explained that on Easter Monday she lost a pink usb stick in Piccadilly Gardens.
It has photos and material on it that were precious to her.
Have any of your readers found a pink usb stick that says Windows 8? She would be so grateful if it could be found. John Cilgram (07736 419204)