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Thoughts on Starmer easing sanctions on Russian oil
Sir Keir Starmer has decided that, to ease the fuel supply-and-pricing problems caused by Donald Trump’s Epstein distraction in Iran, he is going to ease the sanctions on Russian oil (Metro, Thu).
(As a complete aside my neighbour, who has been complaining about supermarkets raising their prices to compensate for their losses through shoplifting, has decided that buying his groceries from shoplifters will ease his household finances.)
One of the reasons for the parlous state of our economy, besides the mercurial Trump, is Russia’s invasion of ‘breadbasket of Europe’ Ukraine.
Reinvigorating Putin’s finances just as his war machine is wavering can only be seen as dismal shortsightedness.
In his election campaign of 2024, Sir Keir campaigned on doing what was right for the good for the country and the world, not just of his party.
With this unforgivable betrayal, he appears to have turned his back on that position – putting short-term gain ahead of long-term strategy. Julian Self, Wolverton
‘Why do these disgusting crimes keep happening in broad daylight?’
Regarding the alleged rapes on Married At First Sight (Metro, Thu).
Why do these disgusting crimes keep happening in broad daylight, even after the #MeToo movement? Why don’t people feel able to speak out? How do we help victims come forward sooner? Charlie Parrett, Stoke
‘SOS should stand for Silly Old Sod’
Reading about the shipwrecked sailor accidentally setting fire to Santa Rosa Island in California with a distress flare and then writing SOS on the scorched land (Metro paper, Thu). SOS here should stand for Silly Old Sod. Mike, London
Is it really Labour letting down the working classes?
A voter from the north of England was asked why they voted Reform UK at the recent local elections. They said because Labour had let down the working classes.
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Successive Conservative and Labour governments and the Conservative- Lib Dem coalition have let down the working-class voter.
The Tories privatised public and utility services, selling them off to private companies who have ripped us off and paid themselves hefty bonuses. New Labour (AKA Pseudo-Tory) continued with the sell-off of social housing etc.
The Referendum Party, now Reform UK, along with millionaire businesspeople disliked the regulations coming from Europe, hence leaving the EU.
This has led to further disenfranchising of the working-class voter. We then had an influx of cheap foreign labour, putting more pressure on working-class areas.
I wonder if it is too late for Labour or Tory governments, or are we going to see a ‘Trump-style’ Reform government? What will the working-class voter say then? Martin, Coventry
Upside down Union flags
There seem to be upside-down Union flags all over London. This is an insult to the flag and a sign of distress, which may be appropriate if put up by local councils…
The Union flag is often wrongly called the Union Jack but that is only when flown from the jack mast of a ship. There is no excuse for getting the flag the wrong way up – ‘Made in China’ goes on the top. Jim Brightwell, Edgware
‘This government makes me sick as a parrot’
I don’t know about deputy PM David Lammy using too many football puns (MetroTalk, Tue) but this government certainly makes me as sick as a parrot! Paul Wilkinson, London
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