'Learning from past successes – now that’s a novel idea!' - Your Letters: March 7

To achieve genuine prosperity for everyone across the UK, we must tax the wealthy and reclaim assets that have been sold off.

Currently, all major political parties in this country seem to agree that selling our public assets to the private sector will somehow benefit us all.

But why did we accept this notion?

Take the issue of housing, for example. 

Since 2016, more homes have been purchased as 'additional dwellings' – such as holiday homes, buy-to-lets, and second homes – than by first-time buyers.

This shift has led to housing being viewed more as a commodity rather than a place to live.

Developers in this country are focusing on the market for investors and the wealthy, rather than catering to first-time buyers who are looking for a home.

As a result, very few affordable homes are being built for ordinary people.

Rachel Reeves' push for growth will likely only benefit the affluent.

Instead, why not impose taxes on those who can afford it and use the revenue to invest in public goods?

We could use the money to fund public green spaces, quality housing, the re-nationalisation of the NHS and GP practices, and our water companies.

We could also provide free adult education and quality care, as well as nationalise the power sector.

These growth solutions were successfully implemented after the war, during a time when our country was poorer, leading to unprecedented growth.

Learning from past successes – now that’s a novel idea!

Patrick McCarthy, Midlands Green Party Co-ordinator

JD VANCE RIGHT ON IMMIGRATION

JD Vance is dead correct when he warns our government and those of the EU, to ignore voters concerns over immigration. The Conservatives found that out at the last election, and Labour will not win at the next one.​ All around Europe parties of the far right are rising as people look to an alternative to cure this problem, and why not? People that pay into the system all their lives are being pushed to the back of queue.

B Ellis, Leominster

US SHOW HOW TO CUT OUT WASTE

In the USA they created DOGE, an anti-waste agency, immediately froze USAID and sacked most of the staff. In the UK, in response to massive waste, fraud and very questionable foreign aid projects we have... letters to newspapers and calls to radio phone-ins! That'll do it!

Trevor Howard, Wolverhampton

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