Child death ‘sin and shame’
THE suffering and death of baby Jackson here in Middlesbrough is absolute disgrace.
It cannot be described as a tragedy because a tragedy is something which could not have been avoided.
It was a “sin and a shame” in my opinion.
A health visitor described him as “well loved and lived in a good home condition...”
On the other hand, the 21-page serious case review into how authorities had handled the case, published by the South Tees Safeguarding Children partnership found that – “even without ( the child) ingesting the drugs which led to his death , he was likely to be suffering significant harm due to neglect , along with his siblings who lived with him.”
All the children in that family had been under a child protection plan and had either left home or been adopted and baby Jackson was on the “at risk register.”
I have not had any training in social work, but I do know this – if a child is deemed “at risk” in a situation, why leave it there?
How many professional people from numerous agencies including Middlesbrough Council, over how long a period were involved with the family?
What has been the result?
Will it be the usual case of – lessons will be learned?
CLLR JOAN MCTIGUE
We need a fresh start for sake of country
THE sudden demise of Boris Johnson and the rush of hopefuls to succeed him as leader of the Conservative Party highlights our wholly undemocratic system currently in place.
This allows the person elected as party leader to become Prime Minister without facing a general election.
All our political parties are subject to the same rules and, like the Conservatives, have a relatively small numbers of paid-up members entitled to vote in their Leadership Elections.
The Tories are reluctant to confirm numbers, but it is thought to be under 200,000 members, predominately, white, males, over 57 – a tiny proportion of diverse approx 47 million UK eligible voters.
Our current system is broken and need serious reform but in this current crisis calling for an immediate general election is the best option.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for a “fresh start and the chance we really need – let’s have a general election let’s have a change of government and a fresh start for our country.”
JILL NATUSCH
Wrong to assume my political leaning
I AM not a Conservative lover, I do not like Labour or the people who profess to be Labour, but I am not a Conservative either, as was commented in a previous letter (‘The Conservatives broke the economy’ – The Gazette 18.07.22).
The person who slated me does not know me at all.
I vote for who I believe is right for me at the time of an election, unlike Labourites who will only vote for Labour regardless.
My best days have always been under anyone else other than Labour.
If that makes me a Conservative in Labour eyes, that does not surprise me, but the person who slated me in his silly letter assumed I was Conservative.
IAN THREADGILL, Billingham,
Don’t worry, the rain will return shortly
OUR proud nation is evidently struggling to cope with the “heatwave” – ie. its impact on the NHS, schools, transport systems, not to mention the health of those vulnerable, etc.
Sure, we’re not used to extreme heat here in the UK, so is that why we’re struggling with it?
If not, then how do the people living in Spain, Australia or on the continent of Africa cope with a climate that is regularly hot, hot, hot!?
Heatwave or not, beware, because in a couple of months or so Britain will once again be freezing and we’ll no doubt have enough rain to fill a reservoir!
KENNY SURTEES, Ormesby