Letters round-up

This last Tory/Lib Dem coalition was not so much stable as an equilibrium partnership, which cost both parties dear in their manifesto commitments. It finally caused the Lib Dems to suffer the worst collapse since 1945. The price one pays at the hand of a fussy electorate.

Roy Jenkins was a Labour politician from 1948 to 1976. He became disillusioned with the Labour Party in 1972 over its contrary stance to membership of the European Economic Community (now the EU), which he advocated and eventually became one of the Gang of Four who created the Social and Democratic party (now the Liberal Democratic Party). He was president of the European Commission from 1977 to 1981.

He was also appointed chairman of an independent commission to examine the prospect of PR elections for the House of Commons. A simple PR system could not provide certain options. The Single Transferable Vote was rejected and an Alternative Vote Top-Up (AV+) system was suggested, which is used in Scotland, Wales, London Assembly, Hungary, Bolivia and was used, in modified form, in Italy until about 2006.

With First Past The Post each constituency always has a defined member who campaigned and canvassed there and is, therefore, known. Not everyone’s choice, perhaps, but under, even, AV+ some constituencies will have an unknown person imposed as MP. The choice, as they say – is yours.

DM Loxley, Pickering

ON January 21, Ryedale District Councillor Paul Andrews said of the projected Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in a letter to the Gazette and Herald: “I understand this provides that no regulations in any one ...country should be any more stringent than those of any other state or country, so making it impossible for, say, the UK to impose more stringent regulations on, eg. fracking, than, say, the state of Texas. If this is right, [said Coun Andrews] this may explain why the UK is not imposing its own requirements in regard to the regulation of fracking fluids, but is only going to enforce “industry-approved” standards, which will only have to comply with the standards of the states which apply the least stringent regulations.”

Coun Andrews will take little pleasure in discovering that his fears concerning the supra-national powers of the projected TTIP seem to have been justified. According to a Guardian report, US trade officials, pre-empting TTIP, have now intervened with the EU to prevent a ban on 31 pesticides containing endocrine disrupting chemicals linked to autism, cancer and male infertility. “Endocrine-related illnesses such as IQ loss, obesity and cryptorchidism” incur European health costs of approximately £100 bn per annum according to this report.

Should the frackers wish at any stage to use fracking chemicals other than those industry-approved and authorised by the UK authorities, it looks as if there is no guarantee that these authorities would be able to stop them. What price sovereignty when we are ready to hand it away so readily to global commercial interests whilst fretting about a loss of political sovereignty in Europe?

Another risk to add to the already overwhelming cumulative risks posed by fracking. Isn’t it time to say “No”? “No” to fracking: “no” to TTIP.

David Cragg-James, Stonegrave MP’s salary I HAVE been following the discussion in the media about the proposed 10 per cent salary increase for MPs with interest, and wonder what the view is of our newly-elected member for Thirsk and Malton.

At the numerous husting events I took part in during the run-up to the General Election, Mr Hollinrake categorically refused to say that he would give up his business interests if he was elected.

Having had a couple of weeks at Westminster, I wonder if he has now decided to forego his business income or if the people of Thirsk and Malton are going to have a part-time MP for the next five years?

I suspect his MP’s salary will amount to spare change to a man of his means, so I would also like to know if he intends to at least donate his 10 per cent increase to charity?

He might like to give it to the Ryedale and Hambleton foodbanks - sadly they are going to need it as, on the back of the huge new cuts that he and his Tory colleagues are going to introduce, many more people will have to turn to them for support.

Di Keal, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Thirsk & Malton, Ryedale District and Norton town councillor St Nicholas Street, Norton

Are other readers as appalled as I am at the Libyan invasion?

Viscount Exmouth has tweeted that he has seen video of some of them and they sport gold watches and modern mobile phones. They pay £5,000 to the traffickers rather than £300 for a flight as they know they will be turned back if they arrive by plane.

Mr Cameron is responsible for this invasion since he overthrew Gaddafi and the Government is sending our naval ships to aid and abet the traffickers. In both cases at cost to the British taxpayer. As I understand it mariners are obliged by international law to go to the aid of a normal traveller in distress at sea. Since these people have deliberately placed themselves in jeopardy, I do not believe we are thus obligated.

Since a Conservative minister stated in 1957, “Her Majesty’s government believes in world government”, and Mr Heath implemented the first step in 1973 by removing our self-government to Brussels, why should we believe they will halt this invasion? They clearly are not governing for us.

Irish multi-millionaire banker, chairman of Goldman Sachs and former EU Commissioner Peter Sutherland has stated that he wishes to see European homogenity destroyed, so presumably he is rubbing his hands with glee?

Martin Cruttwell, Scrayingham End

With reference to North Yorkshire’s refusal to validate Third Energy’s fracking application.

Fracking brings huge risks to land, air, water, generates traffic and has the potential to damage a vibrant local economy dependent on tourism and agriculture. It also keeps us hooked on fossil fuels and limits our opportunities to tackle dangerous climate change.

Yet, when Barclays bank-owned Third Energy apply to carry out fracking in Ryedale, they seem to be incapable of providing the clarity of information required for local residents to make an informed response.

North Yorkshire County Council’s decision to refuse to validate the planning application is very welcome. But the fact that they had to do this throws up some deeply worrying questions.

Third Energy is asking local residents to trust them. But trust needs to be earned and these events hardly inspire confidence in their capacity to mitigate the considerable risks that fracking brings.

Local residents in Ryedale do not want fracking on their, or anyone else’s doorstep. Barclays bank needs to do the right thing and put an immediate end to fracking in North Yorkshire.

Simon Bowens, Yorkshire and Humber campaigner for Friends of the Earth

Ryedale Carers Support had another successful raffle in May and June which raised £990.

Many thanks to The Forest and Vale Hotel, Flamingoland, The Queens Head in Amotherby, Eden Camp, Helmsley Walled Garden, Wolds Way Lavender, Ryedale Folk Museum, the Palace Cinema at Malton, Essential Health and Beauty by Nicola Atkinson, Castle Howard, Scampston Walled Garden, Dalby Forest, The National Trust at Nunnington Hall and Rievaulx Terrace and Dr Julia Skinner for a selection of Dexter beef, who all contributed prizes.

Thanks also to Morrisons, in Malton, and the Co-op, in Pickering, who let us sell raffle tickets and to the carers and volunteers who helped make it such a successful event. The winners were Libby Colley, Mrs Roger, Jo Johnson, Joan King, Mrs Wilson, Micky Johnson, Rona Ashworth, Ann Mulholland, Mrs Aconley, Sue Palmer, Isobel Evans, Jeff Fletcher, Dr J Skinner, Rosie Hill and Mrs J Wiggins.

Claire Hall and Annette Major, Ryedale Carers Support, Kirkbymoorside

Because of reduced numbers of volunteers this year it is not possible to run the Town Bloom competition.

A great deal of work is involved in organising this event and our volunteers feel that their commitment to the town’s flower displays must take priority.

I take this opportunity to thank the devoted band of volunteers who work tirelessly to keep up the standard they have achieved. My thanks also to the businesses and sponsors, who generously donate every year to cover our bills. Without them it would not be possible to function.

We still urgently need volunteers, so please get in touch and help us to keep Pickering blooming for residents and the thousands of visitors who come here every year.

Chairman Eileen Blakeley, Pickering ‘Back at you’ I would like to quote back some of Kevin Hollinrake’s words in his letter regarding fracking.

He says we should “look at the evidence, look at the facts and look at the science”. The facts are that the UN has said that climate change is possibly the greatest threat that the world faces.

Scientists around the world who have studied this for 20 years have said that in order to avoid some of the worst effects of climate change then we must leave most of the known reserves of fossil fuels safely in the ground. The evidence for climate change is all around us with rising temperatures and shrinking ice caps and glaciers.

Later in his letter he talks about “suitable precautions”. The most suitable precaution would be to forget about fracking for gas altogether and put all our efforts into energy efficiency and the massive expansion of our renewable energy resource.

Glyn Wild, Swinton

It is with some trepidation that I get involved with this controversy, but I heard Mr Hollinrake at the Husthwaite hustings insist that he was against fracking and the industrialised development of the countryside.

This surprised us all at the time, particularly as he further insisted that if his party required him to vote in favour he would defy the whips on grounds of conscience.

Of course, he is entitled to change his mind, but I am certain he did say this and thus on such an important matter for this locality he has misled the public.

Jill Knight, Hovingham No joy in racing THESE joyriders and boy racers should have their cars taken off them.

They should be banned for life from driving. They are too dangerous and will kill someone one day – and themselves.

Too many people’s lives have been taken by these so-called drivers.

There should be more police on the roads on a night, and during the day, in Malton and Norton, and everywhere around Britain.

It is an accident ready to happen.

Catherine Devey, Malton

Members of Trinity Methodist Church, Norton, wish to thank all those people who attended and were so generous with their giving at the Summer Fair on June 13.

More than £1,000 was raised on behalf of church funds and for the Sarcoma Bone Cancer Charity.

Organiser Ena Hoyle, Norton