Make Corbyn a caretaker PM? What a disaster

AS SOMeOne who only ever voted Labour, but abstained during Tony Blair’s years in power, I hoped Jeremy Corbyn would be a breath of fresh air.

Sadly, after seemingly accepting the result of the referendum, he has turned 180 degrees. He is seeking to garner support from MPs who chose to ignore the electorate’s democratic decision and are desperately seeking to find some way to prevent Boris Johnson from leaving the eU.

The new Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has rejected Corbyn’s overtures, and I am confident that, though he may be able to obtain the support of some equally desperate Tory MPs, he does not have the backing of large swathes of the public to become a caretaker prime minister.

It is obvious to me that many Labour supporters who voted to leave the eU have switched to the Brexit Party, as revealed in the results of the european elections.

Corbyn is making a disgraceful attempt to usurp control of Parliament. I don’t know what planet he thinks he is living on. LEONARD POWELL, Thelnetham, Suffolk. I See no problem with Jeremy Corbyn being the caretaker. Give him a brush. At last he has found his real potential. MICHAEL LEATHER,

Onchan, Isle of Man.

Comedy magistrates

We nOW know that working for the BBC trumps any awkward situations that may arise.

Actor Steve Coogan argued that he should not have an automatic six-month speeding ban after accruing 12 penalty points because this would affect him filming a new travelogue series featuring his character Alan Partridge.

Misplaced sympathy is a phenomenon magistrates display when dealing with celebrities. It has no place in our justice system and is an affront to the law-abiding public. The magistrates who decided to give Coogan just a two-month ban should have to answer for their decision.

BARRY CHANNING, Cardiff. IT’S a shame that Steve Coogan didn’t get a long driving ban. The BBC would have saved a lot of money by shelving another of its so-called comedies. PETE DICKERSON, Ryde, Isle of Wight.

On the gravy train

A 2.8 PeR CenT inflation-busting increase in train fares is no surprise. The railways have become a gravy train to bleed dry the Government and commuters.

The splitting up of British Rail into myriad firms has created layers of bureaucracy and legions of contractors. network Rail has made a mockery of John Major’s passenger charter to penalise laterunning trains. Services are sporadic and flaky and the public is being asked to shell out for the privilege of travelling. We need a root-and-branch overhaul of the whole railway infrastructure.

DAVE DEGEN, Harrow Weald, Middlesex.

Break from bucket lists

THe concept of a ‘bucket list’ – things to see before you die – had a lasting impact on the travel industry.

But as a writer who spent many years pushing the idea in various holiday magazines I have increasing misgivings.

Travel should be part of life: meeting new people, seeing new things, eating new food, etc.

Sadly, bucket lists now make travel an obligation to stand in vast queues to get up the eiffel Tower or into some other icon with other sweaty tourists.

In addition, many companies promote hugely expensive trips to remote, distant destinations on their bucket list.

For example the ‘unique experience of swimming with tiger sharks in Fiji’ is too costly and too dangerous to be on any list. DR JOHN CAMERON, St Andrews,

Fife.

Stolen pensions

HOW many of the 322,000 women taking up employment up to June are those born in the Fifties who have had their pensions stolen by successive Governments?

Forcing women in their 60s back into work instead of enjoying a well-earned retirement is not something politicians should be shouting about. MIKE QUINN, Nuneaton, Warks.

Cutting it at college

I WAS amused to read about Mickey Mouse degrees (Mail), particularly in hair and beauty.

In the Seventies, I gained City & Guilds qualifications in gents’ and ladies’ hairdressing, wig-making, manicure, pedicure and beauty therapy, with anatomy, physiology and business studies thrown in.

I studied for two years at the local technical college. The cost to my parents was £200 for materials. I left college on a Friday and started a job in a salon on the following Monday.

In those days, if you wished to study a less academic subject, you went to a tech or polytechnic. You could still gain a qualification and hone your skills.

University was for those who wished to be doctors, dentists and teachers. I have no idea why today’s teenagers are all funnelled towards university, as if it were the only way to gain qualifications. In the future, will there be enough carpenters, plumbers and electricians?

Having said that, my youngest son has just graduated with a 2.1 in multi-media journalism and is starting a full-time job with a Premier League football club, so maybe his three years of debt have been worth it. YVONNE WRIGHT, Cassington, Oxon

Politicians at a loss

In war generals reinforce success and, in business, investors pick winners.

Only politicians consistently pick losers like Prestwick Airport and Ferguson Marine engineering and throw the taxpayers’ money at them.

OTTO INGLIS, Edinburgh.