Nationalism rejects the order of the universe
I am forced to recognise that nationalism once again has a hugely popular political appeal CN Westerman Penarth
IS IT possible that all British adults could agree, that the motives of all Brexiteers must be “nationalistic”?
Whether we agree with them or not, there cannot possibly be any other reason, than that this thinking must be called “nationalist” – they prefer Brexit separation for the future of this nation.
I had thought that history had proven to any educated person, the murderous consequences of nationalist belief in competing and hostile countries, 40 million dead, but I am forced to recognise that nationalism once again has a hugely popular political appeal, especially in the USA and UK.
All of a sudden, it might be possible that the mad President of Brazil, cast in the successful demagogue mould of Trump, could make crystal-clear to Brexiteers, the lunacy of nationalism and isolationism, for anyone who cannot escape from this planet.
Intelligent schoolchildren living in Birmingham have always known that the Amazon jungle was supplying the oxygen which they were breathing.
Just because Trump, Farage and Johnson are incapable of thinking beyond their noses, does not change the nature of this universe. Shall we go to war with those nasty Brazilians?
Formal metaphysics proved long ago, that there is a design written into this universe, which anyone but a self-centred bigot can read.
Materialism is not a wise perspective if you hope to comprehend our universal heritage.
CN Westerman Penarth Workers’ physical and mental health
IN WORKPLACES across the UK right now, someone is silently trying their best to struggle through their working day. Approximately one in four of us will experience a mental health or musculoskeletal problem each year, so it’s no surprise that after coughs and colds, these are the two main causes of sickness absence at work, with over 40 million days lost each year.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. “Presenteeism” – when someone is struggling at work when they’re unwell – is forecast to wipe £84bn off work productivity by 2025.
We spend a third of our lives at work, so employers have an important role to play and can help unlock £38.1bn for the UK economy by 2025 by providing fast access to psychological and physical therapies for their employees.
The John Lewis Partnership has launched Working Well – a campaign to kick-start a revolution in workplace health and wellbeing.
We know there are huge benefits if businesses, government, charities and health experts work together. We are calling on the Government to make access to workplace health services tax-free, which could help encourage local employers to invest in the physical and mental health of their workers, particularly for those on low pay or working in SMEs.
You can help by writing to your local MP to ask them to support this tax exemption request ahead of the Budget in November.
To learn more about our Working Well campaign visit johnlewispartnership.co.uk/workingwell
Tracey Killen Director of Personnel John Lewis Partnership Fond memories of Barry War Museum
I WOULD like to thank the staff at the Barry War Museum for their hospitality to myself and relations.
It was 70 years ago since I was last there. I did my national service at the SRD and they made us very welcome. It was nice to see the fair still going.
Alex Irving
Liverpool
Climate emergency is plain to see
WHEN campaigning recently for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to declare a “Climate Emergency”... I was asked many times what is a climate emergency?
Well the images of the Amazon and Siberian forests burning is probably the most poignant reply!
Add to that, the melting of the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets and the record temperatures taking place on a monthly basis and we have the evidence needed for us as a society to urgently change our ways.
The choices we make as individuals can have a global impact whether it’s eating less meat, conserving energy or refusing plastic packaging.
Sadly many of our politicians seem deafeningly silent on climate breakdown and the extinction of our natural world... Please can I make an urgent plea to all your readers to bombard our elected representatives with the emails, texts and letters needed for them to wake up and smell the burning forests!
Rob Curtis
Barry Action for Nature Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
Don’t imperil Good Friday Agreement
NANCY Pelosi has said there is “no chance” of a US-UK trade deal getting through Congress if Brexit puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk.
The House of Representatives speaker said the agreement was “the bedrock of peace of Northern Ireland and a beacon of hope for the entire world”.
Brexit cannot be allowed to imperil the agreement, including the seamless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.
Andrew Nutt
Bargoed
Magic money trees help win votes
WITH the shameless infighting by Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrats in Westminster over Brexit, it is no wonder the trust given to politicians is the worst it has ever been in living memory.
After years of austerity, and with no consideration for the hard working families of this once great country by previous governments, the current Prime Minister and Chancellor are telling us that the country is now awash with magic money trees for vote-winning
projects, that should never have been compromised in the first instance.
Police, prison officers, NHS, social care, education, you could go on and on.
And let’s not forget the robbing of workers’ pensions to the tune of £230bn-plus since 1997.
If this Prime Minister and Chancellor had an once of compassion, and were going to be honest with people, they should finally put an end to the inhumane pension injustice, and pay the former ASW steelworkers their pensions in full.
We won’t hold our breath, as words are cheap.
John Benson Dinas Powis
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