Labour is a beacon of anti-racism - not Tories
Write to: Viewpoints, M.E.N, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Oldham, OL9 8EF Or email: viewpoints@men-news.co.uk
IT is odd that Jack Haynes
(Viewpoints, February 22) suggests that musicians or actors shouldn’t share their political, religious or ethical views even if, as in the case of rapper Dave at the Brits, he was quoting his own lyrics.
Should we leave all comment to ‘influencers,’ columnists and politicians, who can receive sixfigure sums for an hour’s speech?
But what was particularly odd in Jack’s letter was that he claims Dave is left-wing because he didn’t call out anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.
He didn’t call out known antiSemitism and racism in the Tory Party, nor Islamophobia, even though the former chair of the party, Sayeeda Warsi, continues to try and get it investigated.
Although much of the media has supported the right-wing campaign to denigrate Labour for antiSemitism, actual facts have been thin on the ground, and even the BBC programme was so biased, that views of anti-racist and proPalestinian Jews, such as myself, don’t get a look in.
The truth is that social media has made it easy to propagate abhorrent racist views, perpetuating those that have infected British society for generations. Unlike those that led to the murder of MP Jo Cox, Labour has been a beacon of anti-racism.
A son of refugees
Give aid to flood victims
ISN’T it time to stop sending millions of pounds in aid to other countries and start looking after our own people whose homes are flooded, some two or three times in as many years?
Give them the money so they can get their lives back together again. They need it now, not months later. Let’s look after our own for a change and get them back in their homes so soon as possible.
‘Happy Jack’, Longsight
Our country needs money
WITH regard to Chris Gordon, I agree, why send £14bn to foreign countries when our country needs more police, more nurses and more doctors (Viewpoints, February 14)?
Stop foreign aid, bring the pension age down for people who have paid into this country.
I am now a carer and still help with transport costs.
Mark Muller, Ardwick
Put stop to tram fee
IN reply to Coun Chris Gordon’s letter with regard to the pensioners’ bus pass, you decline to say which party you belong to Mr Gordon.
Your arrogant letter shows just how out of touch you are. Many pensioners in this country live poverty stricken lives.
The pension in the UK is one of the lowest in the so-called developed world.
Thousands of pensioners die from cold-related illnesses because they can’t afford to heat their homes, many can’t afford food or holidays and luxuries you may take for granted, Mr Gordon.
The £10 per year charge may not sound like a lot of money, but it is the difference between a warm house and food or paying to travel.
The pass is not free to pensioners, they deserve it.
The Mayor Andy Burnham should stop this fee right now.
E Costello, Cheetham
Birthday boy Denis is 80
DENIS Law will be was 80 yesterday. Thank you for the days, Denis.
None better, than May 25, 1963. The day when Cup Final Saturday was the day of the year.
United won the FA Cup, 3-1, against Leicester City, inspired by the Law man.
It was my first trip to Wembley, aged 20, and of course, Denis was man of the match.
Proclaimed The King of Scotland, by Mike Summerbee.
Sir Denis Law, in my eyes forever young!
John Donohue, Bredbury
Cyclists will be charged
WITH the inevitable future ban on the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the government will be faced with the problem of replacing its vast revenue gained from petrol tax and road tax.
When all ICE vehicles can no longer use our roads, the government will then need to cash in on taxing the previously privileged, untaxed electric vehicles, which to date have escaped contributing to maintaining our transport system.
Also watch out you cyclists who at present get away with contributing nothing to the millions of pounds spent on your poorly-used cycle ways!
R M Greaves, Stockport