Thanks for the art, Claes
SAD to hear about the recent passing of Claes Oldenburg, the “pop art” sculptor who died recently at the age of 93.
This is the man who created ‘Bottle of Notes’ almost 30 years ago for our town.
Originally some were outraged, while others were perplexed at such a creation.
The artist has sculptures in America and Europe but this is the only work of his that is in the UK.
Over time I think it has endeared itself to the public and it is probably the most iconic structure in Middlesbrough after the Transporter Bridge. It shows that art does not have to be serious or something that should be locked away in stuffy galleries or museums.
It can be fun and easily accessible to everyone.
As well as creating art for ordinary people, he certainly gave us something to talk about! Well done, Claes.
CHRIS McINTYRE, Independent Councillor for
Park Ward, Middlesbrough
Fear the driver in wanting PM gone
LABOUR MP Andy McDonald recently criticised Boris Johnson,
saying that his damage of democracy is shameful. What breathtaking hypocrisy!
What is shameful was the remorseless campaign against the PM. They wanted Boris Johnson toppled because they fear him at the ballot box.
Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham has come up with a beauty, he said Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are two stooges.
Alex and Andy campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn to be PM, does that suggest political intelligence?
These are the same MPs who spent over three years trying to overturn the result of the Brexit referendum, treating there constituents with utter contempt. They refused to accept the British people’s choice.
Sir Keir Starmer voted in Parliament numerous times for a second people’s vote, hoping to overturn the original, trying to bypass democracy, three wasted years costing the taxpayers billions of pounds.
It’s only in a General Election or a referendum that ordinary people get the right to vote, that’s the only choice we have.
Whether we are affluent or poor, our vote is equal. That’s what democracy is.
Both the local MPs constantly criticise Ben Houchen and the Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner.
Throw enough mud and they think it will eventually stick.
I suppose it would be too much to ask for them to endeavour to bring some jobs and business to our area instead of mud slinging.
MICHAEL GEELAN, Billingham
Starmer ‘not the man to lead for me’
SO Jill Natusch goes on about a general election (The Gazette 21.07.22).
She says we must have a general election due to the country having a new leader in the Conservative party.
Well I reckon we should have elections for when MPs defect to other parties, and also the same goes for local councillors when they defect to other parties as they were elected on that party’s policies, on which they had campaigned.
Her last comment on having a change of government, I think she needs to have a reality check because the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, who is a person who sits on the fence and cannot make a decision, is not the person capable of leading a country.
CRAIG HICKMAN,
Middlesbrough