Betrayal by our councillors

THE word betrayal has been bandied about a lot lately, especially since 2016 by those who want to shut down any democratic debate on the so-called ‘Brexit’ of the UK from the EU.

It is a strong word that needs to be used with care and thought.

But sadly it is the most appropriate word to describe the failure of Sefton Council to support a citizen’s motion for a People’s Vote on the terms of the ‘Brexit’ withdrawal agreement. It is a betrayal of the people of Sefton in a number of ways.

This was an anti-‘Brexit’ area at the 2016 EU referendum.

Also Labour and the Liberal Democrats hold a total of 55 of the 66 seats on the council.

These are parties whose members and voters have been polled and are overwhelmingly in favour of a People’s Vote.

Yet incredibly it is reported that only eight councillors supported the motion calling for such a vote.

Given the small number of Conservative councillors they cannot just blame the Tories this time.

The result is even more incredible when the People’s Vote motion was the result of a petition signed by Sefton citizens.

Finally, do the councillors in Sefton not watch the news and follow national politics? On the same day that they failed to support the restoration of democracy to the ‘Brexit’ process it appeared increasingly likely that there would be no majority in Parliament for Theresa May’s sovereignty-shredding agreement with our EU partners.

Sefton Council urgently needs to move with the times, not engage in ‘my backyard’ politics that misses the bigger picture. O Sykes Liverpool

THANK YOU SO MUCH

ON Tuesday, November 20 November, a bitterly cold day, my 90-year-old mum and I stopped for a coffee at what was Vincent’s Garden centre, now The Red Lion caravan centre.

Out of the car mum caught her feet on the wheel of her walker and fell heavily to the ground.

Mum’s cry brought people from all over the property and as she wouldn’t let anyone touch her because of the pain (she’d heard a bone crack) she remained on the wet tarmac.

One staff member ran to call an ambulance, the other staff leapt into action breaking open a new sleeping bag to wrap round her, then they actually erected a teepee tend around us both, and standing sentry round holding it in place as it couldn’t be anchored.

They even ran an extension lead to a heater!

Meanwhile the conversation with the emergency services continued because of mum’s many other medical conditions.

When the ambulance arrived, they very gently and with professional skill loaded her into the ambulance, working hard to reduce the pain before driving on the potholed road to Southport A&E where she was seen with speed and sympathy.

The arm was indeed broken but too high on the arm to place it in a cast, so she now sporting a pink foam sling.

We know it’s going to be a slow healing process but words cannot express our gratitude to every single person involved that day. Caroline Fox on behalf of

Betty Wright

LEARN TO BE SAFE

I RECENTLY attended a road safety event for people over 60.

Not just motorists but anyone who use the roads.

We were given a talk by the emergency services, who are faced every day with the aftermath of road traffic collisions.

Sixty years ago there were fewer cars on the road.

Life was simple with church, school and work on the doorstep.

Then came the advent of new towns, new garden cities, new factories and new opportunities to improve the quality of life.

Car ownership began to increase. We cannot stop getting old, but we can learn to keep ourself safe and not endanger others by our actions.

Go to www. olderpersonsroadsafety.com Bernard Powell

Southport