Latest news with #MetroTalk
Metro
2 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Readers say protesters weren't backing a regime - they were backing it's people
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. D Frencel (MetroTalk, Wed) says pro-Palestine demonstrators chanting 'Stop bombing Iran' 'effectively showed support for the Iranian regime'. Effectively, they did not – they showed support for innocent Iranian citizens who are being bombed. What a huge leap to make. Anna, London D Frencel wrongly criticises 'the radical Left' for ideological inconsistency because pro-Palestine protesters called for an end to Israel bombing Iran, when Iran had broken Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons obligations. Neither Palestine nor Iran are Right vs Left issues. But there's no inconsistency in any case. The common thread is opposition to bombing as a means of solving international problems. It's worth noting that US spy chief, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, told Congress in March that Iran was not building a nuclear arsenal. And among the first targets of the bombing was Iranian government adviser Ali Shamkhani, who was a leader of peaceful negotiations on the nuclear issue. The irony is that the bombing is being done by Israel – itself a country that is widely thought to have created nuclear weapons which would put them in breach of the same treaty, had they signed up to it. And yet D Frencel isn't suggesting bombing Israel. Dan Johnston, Leeds To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Its amazing to see the way the Right will tangle themselves up to create an argument, while showing how little they understand what they are whining about. Take D Frencel's comments about the 'inconsistency' and 'contradiction' of the Left, for their calls to stop the bombing of Iran that's taking place because a regime within Iran has been found to be in violation of meeting nuclear obligations. Funny how quickly this has become another scapegoat to ignore Israel's needless bloodshed – much like their mission of genocide against Palestine, which many people still excuse on the grounds a terrorist group is hiding within the country. It's yet another example of how the Right is desperate to shift any story in their favour, in spite of how often it shows they have ignored the bigger picture because they are upset by the notion of people caring for the well-being of innocents caught in the crossfire of tyrants. Matthew, Birmingham Brendan O'Brian (MetroTalk, Tue) questions how truthful it is to talk of Iran's 'imminent threat' to Israel. Iran's leaders' threats to wipe Israel off the face of the earth have been widely and proudly announced for decades, reported across the mass media. But Brendan can rest assured that Israel will go on sacrificing and risking the lives of its citizens and military – men, women and children – as it takes the hits, so that people like him can sleep safely at night and around the world. Be assured, too, that Iran's ballistic missiles can reach London. Sir Keir Starmer and all the world leaders and their intelligence agencies know the truth and hence there will be, I am sure, much private rejoicing in cutting down Iran's nuclear bomb preparations by the brave Israeli Air Force. Martin Sugarman, via email Andy from Edinburgh (MetroTalk, Tue) ridicules the UN as 'the most pathetic group of do-gooders' who only come up with the 'usual guff – let's talk, let's negotiate, blah, blah, blah' in the face of global conflict. How does he suggest international diplomacy should be conducted? Perhaps Israel and Palestine could settle their differences over paintball? Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin just need to have a beer, maybe? I'm sure we'd all have a good laugh over Andy's attempts to resolve the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. There hasn't been a world war for 80 years and the UN is a part – not all, a part – of why that has been. If Andy wants to be taken seriously, he should do some reading.- J Wilson, Warminster Here's a novel idea. Unlike Andrew from Halesowen (MetroTalk, Wed), who doesn't trust Labour over the grooming gangs scandal, let's try to think about the victims rather than political squabbling. It's obvious there was fault and laxity on both sides of the political divide. Simon, Luton Colin (MetroTalk, Tue) asks for examples of minority rules. It's boiling hot in our windowless packing room, the top dogs upstairs gave us an electric fan but our stupid young line manager stopped us using it as 'it blows the oxygen out of the room' and the top dogs let him win as he's more important. Trotter, Birmingham To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Regarding the Surrey mum given an Asbo after neighbours complained about her parking a double-decker bus, which she planned to convert to a cafe, on her driveway (Metro, Wed). They said it was 'ruining the ambience' of the cul-de-sac. I don't know of any law preventing someone from parking a privately owned bus outside their house. If it's on the road, it must have tax, MOT and insurance but if it's on private land all it needs is a SORN notification. More Trending I have a classic car on my drive that's tatty but it's on my land and with a SORN notification. Plenty of people have cars on their drives in the most various of conditions and many are 'restoration projects'. Admittedly some projects take longer than others as all too often life takes a leading hand. This lady is being treated unjustly by her snobby neighbours. Geoff Hall, Croydon MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: British man shot dead in Mexico was 'in the wrong place at wrong time'
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Readers say you can't oppose bombs and back Iran
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in London's Parliament Square on Saturday, chanting, 'Stop bombing Iran' and waving Iranian flags. In doing so, they effectively showed support for the Iranian regime, which has been formally found in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation commitments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors. This apparent contradiction highlights a shift in stance among some on the radical Left – voices that once strongly advocated for global nuclear disarmament now seem comfortable with Iran developing its own nuclear arsenal. It's a striking example of ideological inconsistency, reminiscent of George Orwell's satirical phrase from Animal Farm that, 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.' Rather than treating it as irony, today's radical Left seems to embrace it as a guiding principle in their political approach. D Frencel, London William appears to criticise Greta Thunberg (MetroTalk, Mon) for attempting to break Israel's aid blockade on Gaza. I regard the environmental activist and others trying to bring food and hope as courageous. I've kept a cartoon from your cartoonist, Guy, that shows a woman with a placard saying, 'Please stop killing people.' Two suited males walk by and sneer, 'Bloody extremists.' How true that was! All Greta and her colleagues want is to help people and break the inhumane blockade. Charles Stoll, Halesowen When people raise the matter of borders and migration, they are all too often accused of hating migrants – and hate is a crime nowadays. When people raise the matter of women's rights, they often get accused of hating trans people. Any disagreement with trans ideology is called an 'attack on trans people's identities' or 'transphobic hate'. When people raise the matter of net zero, they are often accused of hating the planet. Any disagreement with net zero policy is called an 'attack on humanity' or 'misanthropic'. The false accusation of hate is intended to prevent free discussion, Will Podmore, London Colin (MetroTalk, Tue) says the church bells of Mytholmroyd being silenced by complaints from just three residents is an example of 'minority rules'. I see it as a community giving up something that gives them pleasure for the wellbeing of a few it causes harm – something that sits well with the teachings of most faiths, I believe. Personally, I enjoy the sound of church bells but understand how it may cause unnecessary discomfort to people with conditions I have no knowledge of. To paraphrase a certain Starship captain, sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. Jules, Leeds Quite rightly, Kemi Badenoch is up in arms that it has taken Sir Keir Starmer almost a year to set in motion a national inquiry into predatory gangs grooming girls for sexual abuse and rape. Presumably it was only the pressures of time which prevented her own party's administration from initiating such a process at any point in the preceding 14 years. Julian Self, Wolverton With Labour in power I won't hold my breath regarding justice for the victims of grooming gangs. Only last month, leader of the house of commons Lucy Powell claimed it was a 'dog whistle' for the far right when the issue was raised during Radio 4's Any Questions. When he was leader of the party, Jeremy Corbyn reportedly sacked frontbencher and Rotherham MP Sarah Champion after she highlighted the problem in her constituency. Sadly there are many more such cases of the Left ignoring the Watson, Halesowen Further to letter regarding transport spending in the capital compared with elsewhere (MetroTalk, June 10). More Trending I have lived in both London and the rural East Midlands. London has had far more than its fair share for far too long. One of the key reasons people are so sick of politicians in the 'Westminster bubble' is because they've spent so much money on the city they work in, when the rest of the country needs it so much more. This resentment certainly contributed to the Brexit vote, and is still being exploited by the likes of Farage and co. JWA Caley, St Pancras Further to debate about the proposed bill to permit assisted dying. William says it would restore people's dignity, while Eileen says it would send the message that 'some lives aren't worth living' (both MetroTalk, Fri). I am opposed to a change in the law. My late husband was given a year to live and lived for another 15 years. I refused to allow him to be taken to hospital as I feared they would 'assist' his dying because of his time they sent an ambulance for him, the crew checked that he didn't want to died with dignity at home, with all his children telling him they loved him and holding his hand. A new law would see us end up as the situtation with abortion has done – free for all, no questions asked and people travelling to the UK to take advantage of the permissive legislation. Elayne M Benjami, via email MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: When is Prime Day 2025? From dates to deals, here's everything about the four-day sale MORE: Ben Duckett has a bit of Brian Lara about him and won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah in India Tests
Metro
5 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Disability benefit isn't 'disposable income', says reader
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Claire (MetroTalk, Thu) says the 'problem' working people have is that those on benefits have more disposable income than them. It's a fact that many disabled people have extra living costs. Many also have to supplement housing benefit payments out of their own pocket. Many more disability benefit claimants would rather work but are unable to find jobs that offer the flexibility those with fluctuating conditions require in order to make work a reality. Many of the myths about disabled benefit claimants are born of falsehoods fuelled by a downgrading of the sick and disabled, which has become prevalent in recent decades. This is hardly surprising when they're often described as a burden to the welfare state. James, Stockport Claire's view is entirely misguided. People on only universal credit have no disposable income despite (variable) allowances on council tax etc. The extra money disabled people get is to cover foreseen and unforeseen costs related to their disability and, anyway, it isn't a fortune. The disabled and unemployed are not your enemy. It's the tax cheats and uber-wealthy millionaires and billionaires funnelling their resources towards themselves who are. Deon, Barnet Of course Sir Keir Starmer is right to restore winter fuel payments to all but the wealthiest pensioners (MetroTalk, Thu) – but for political reasons. Reasonably well-off pensioners managed to get through winter without the payment but they made Labour pay at the ballot box. Pensioners make up around a quarter of the electorate and they always turn out to vote. Taking hundreds of pounds from them was always political suicide. Mess about with pensioners, find out at the election. It's a shame Sir Keir had to be reminded of this. John, Glasgow P Wright from Solihull (MetroTalk, Thu) argues that being willing to change your mind is a good thing, asking how many lives could have been saved if the British Army had done so on the first day of The Somme. His analogy is unconvincing. The fact that this 'progressive' administration did not know or care that large numbers of elderly people do not have access to generously funded workplace pensions shows how politically naive it is. The economy has barely improved since the payments were axed to all but those on pension credit so there is no financial argument to be made for reversing the cut. It is an obvious political ploy to slow the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform and has made no difference to political polling. Chris Shepherd, London Mick (MetroTalk, Thu) suggests Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet should watch a video of 'Israeli atrocities'. He was responding to Greta Thunberg being asked to watch a video of those carried out by Hamas on its October 7 attacks in 2023 that killed 1,200. The environmental activist and her colleagues had been detained trying to break the aid blockade on Gaza. The video they reportedly wanted to show Greta was of all the atrocities Hamas intentionally perpetrated against civilians – kidnap, rape and murder. Israel is fighting a war she did not start or want and all civilian deaths in Gaza are a tragedy. However they have been caused by Hamas using its civilians as human shields – hiding in schools, mosques and hospitals. Daniel, Milan It is a pity Greta Thunberg did not watch the video. It may have helped her to see it is Israel that needs aid for its survival. William, Bromley Further to the government allocating £16.7billon for nuclear power projects. More Trending Nuclear power won't make us self-sufficient in energy because it relies on uranium, which has to be imported. Around 50 per cent of the world's uranium comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Then there is the problem of radioactive waste. The facility at Sellafield is leaking waste into the ground and is expected to do so until 2050. The vast sums that building nuclear reactors will cost would be far better spent on wave power. Roger Smith, Witham MORE: Partner of mum, 48, killed in skydive accident saw her fall to her death MORE: Three ways latest Middle East crisis could make life more expensive in the UK MORE: Emotional Jessie J vows to 'beat breast cancer' in final performance before surgery
Metro
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Readers defend the government's U-turn on winter fuel payments
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Regarding Sir Keir Starmer's government watering down plans to axe the winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest pensioners (MetroTalk, Wed). I don't understand why the media are so fixated on U-turns being a bad thing. Surely, showing that you are willing to change your mind on something shows a high level of emotional intelligence and good management. 'All the evidence at the time pointed to this being a good decision, but what we have learnt since says it's not so we are changing it' is exactly right at times. History is littered with 'pressing on' with bad decisions. Imagine how many lives would have been saved if in World War I, after the first day of The Somme, the British Army had said, 'You know what, we have this wrong, let's stop it'. P Wright, Solihull Following the chancellor's U-turn on the winter fuel allowance, am I the only person who thinks they have done the correct thing in reinstating the payment? Yes, it's still fewer people who will receive it than did initially but at least the majority will get it. While every other party scorns the government, I say at least this one listens and is big enough to rectify the error. Will it be enough to vote for them again? Probably not but who else is out there? Kev, An OAP, via email To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video So, Israel tried to get Greta Thunberg to watch a video of the atrocities carried out by Hamas on its October 7 attacks in 2023 that killed 1,200 (Metro, Wed). The environmental activist and her colleagues had been detained trying to break the aid blockade on Gaza . We can only hope Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet will be forced to watch Israeli atrocities done for their personal benefits. It will be a long watch. Mick, West Midlands If human hackers can breach the biggest corporations (such as Marks & Spencer and the Co-op) or government departments, how much easier will it be for an AI-led hacking operation? Presumably the government is aware of the need for a stable power supply to maintain cloud data operations? And are they doing enough to protect us from EMPs – electromagnetic pulses – given China has developed super electro-magnets? Michael, Tyneside Rob Slater – who is unable to work because of 'complex psychological issues' – overheard a phone conversation in which those signed off for mental health issues were dismisssed as 'benefit scroungers' (MetroTalk, Wed). He asks whether people would say the same if he was physically disabled and they could 'see' his problems'. The problem working people have is that some work all month to earn the same as you get on benefits, then out of their wages they have to pay rent and council tax. People on benefits have more disposable income compared with working people. That's the problem. Claire, Brighton Investment firms such as BlackRock reportedly want to buy Thames Water. As a condition, they want immunity from prosecution for environmental crimes. This suggests they see the best way to make even more money is to carry on committing environmental crimes. They never pay for their crimes anyway. If the government fines them, the water companies cheerfully cover the costs by upping water bills (up by 36 per cent over the next five years, nodded through by Ofwat). Thames Water shareholders have taken more than £10billion in dividends since 1989. They should get no more. More Trending Thames Water bondholders have taken more than £13.68bn in interest and returns in real terms since 1989 – grossly excessive compensation for their loans. They too should be given no more. Thames Water is basically insolvent. The government can take away a water company's licence for 'serious' poor performance, a criterion that Thames, and other water companies, meets by regularly dumping raw sewage into our rivers. The government could easily and cheaply take our water away from the profiteers. We need to demand that it do so without delay. Will Podmore, London MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dies aged 82 MORE: Rita Ora's Typebea launches first ever dry shampoo – and we've got an exclusive 20% off
Metro
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Readers say transport spending should finally focus outside the capital
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Further to your report on the government's £15.6billion transport plan (Metro, Thu). London Assembly member Elly Baker asks why the capital isn't getting its 'fair share'. Since the 1980s, UK taxpayers have helped to renew much of London's transport networks above and below ground, with new Tube and rail lines, rebuilt rail terminuses, new buses, and now the Elizabeth line with its cathedral-like stations. By contrast, services between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds are slow, crowded, and unreliable. Southampton station is almost unchanged since the 1980s despite a huge increase in passenger numbers. There are many similar examples. London shows that good public transport is essential for a city to flourish – investment in other cities' and towns' infrastructure is long overdue and only fair. James Sinister, Brighton London has had more than its fair share of support and filled its boots at the expense of other parts of the UK. This current plan is about levelling up and giving neglected regions a fair share of transport funding, belatedly. G Dawson, Merseyside. While the transport projects the government is supporting are a big step, there are notable omissions. From what I have read, the East Midlands projects seem to be concentrated in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, which have more than 20 stations each – fewer than 42,000 citizens per station. In contrast, Leicestershire has just ten stations and Northamptonshire a paltry six – that's more than 70,000 citizens per station. Yet there are relatively straightforward remedies to this. In western Leicestershire, a railway still open to freight and the occasional diversion connects several towns that would benefit from a restored passenger service and reopened stations. In Northamptonshire it is even easier, as many towns lacking stations actually have passenger railways going through them. What's more, separate fast and slow trains run on one stretch of track and the latter could easily serve two extra stations. There are similar examples in other regions. So let's see transport investment in parts of regions lacking in them as well. Charles EL Gilman, Mitcham Ryan Cooper (MetroTalk, Mon) responds to the claim that we have 'lost control' of our borders by saying the world would be better without them. Does this mean he doesn't want any more Olympics or World Cups and will no longer support Britain/England in those competitions as, without borders, there'll be no countries? Also, does this mean that I – and anyone else for that matter – can just rock up at his home, barge our way in and make ourselves comfortable because, without borders around countries, there won't be any borders around his home and consequently anyone can just enter as they wish. I bet he would say that's 'different' and be quick to call the police, citing trespass, in that situation. Also, what would you do about infrastructure and building places for people to live when everyone is concentrated in one small area of the world? Surely having too many people in one area cannot be good for those living there. Jon, West Midlands I think Ryan Cooper is being a bit naive in thinking that no borders is the utopian answer to the world's problems. There will always be those who want more than others. There will always be a hierarchy. More Trending What is he expecting, a benign world government with the interests of all at its heart? Dream on. Remember the great Soviet Union experiment. Or maybe the French Commune. John, Orpington. Amanda (MetroTalk, Fri) says Clark's call for a £300 licence to deter people from owning cats is prompted less by his concern for the millions of birds and small animals they kill and more by the fact that he 'probably has cat issues, because he was a mouse in his former life'. Well, I don't believe in reincarnation and I didn't when I was a hamster, either. Carl, Leed MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Could these viral Pulse Oils be the key to a restful sleep and balanced hormones? MORE: Plastic surgeon who stabbed rival doctor and tried to burn down his home jailed
