Readers' letters: Socialism, the PM and the Ken Dodd suitcase – plus a glimpse inside a 1950s classroom
A mixed selection of readers' views, including debate over socialism and capitalism, criticism of the Prime Minister's public appearances, and a tongue-in-cheek take on tax, spending and Ken Dodd's famous suitcase...
Do not fear a socialist regime
It seems that the right-wing press have instilled a sense of fear at any prospect of a socialist government. Capitalist = good, socialist = bad.
The said elements of the press present many ideas by the current government as a threat to us the public.
I can reassure the public that the present Labour government is only mildly socialist, as was the Blair governments. We have not had a socialist government since Wilson/Callaghan. After that we had Thatcher, whose government, with the Reagan administration, led to the de-regulation of the banking industry. This resulted in the financial crash of 2007/8, for which we are all still paying the price.
We also had the selling off of all our publicly owned utilities, the result of which is that we have to buy gas, electricity and water (which used to belong to us) from private, mostly foreign interests. Opening up more oil and gas production in the North Sea will not reduce the price we pay for those commodities. When any of the privatised utilities fails, as in the water and rail industry, capitalism steps aside, the tax-payer buys off the debts, and when a return to profit is achieved, the company is handed back to the people who caused the failure.
Under capitalism, the gap between rich and poor has increased dramatically, many people have two or more jobs and still need state benefits, and food banks are now a common fact of life.
So, if capitalism is good, for whom is it good?
David Clenton, Walsall
Not happy with ‘eye lash tour’
I am reliably informed the ‘Andy Burnham, flash your eye lashes whilst eating a bag of scratchings tour' was nothing to do with photo ops or the creation of an image of a PM listening to the people.
No my friends, this is a PM who wants to talk to the man/ woman in the street and find out what he or she wants, what they really really want. What a complete load of twaddle! If he doesn't know by now, he never will.
Alan M Etheridge, Sedgley
I’m following Doddy’s route
By the great steaming pile of cash that Ken Dodd stuffed into a suitcase and hid in his loft! What a good idea.
A lot of taxpayers are beginning to think that Doddy was on the money with that personal savings scheme, as the Labour Government makes more promises about spending our money quicker than a new football manager or a water company.
If we taxpayers knew our money was going to the NHS or the Armed Forces, we would be happier paying tax, but not when it disappears into the useless HS2 black hole or "No. 10 North".
Aunt Dolly's, Uncle Norbert's and my tax suggestions, with all new money going to the NHS and the Armed Forces, would be for everyone in the country – around 70 million people – to have 10p deducted from whatever the Government gives them. That would raise £364 million a year to start with. Add 1p to petrol and diesel, and charge electric car owners £30 a year in road tax.
If none of this appeals, then Uncle Norbert and I are proud to offer you the Ken Dodd Memorial Suitcase for only £555. It is fireproof, bombproof, earthquake-proof and, most importantly, Labour-proof.
Peter Steggles, Rushbury
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