Reform’s risk for Rishi, getting ‘real’ on knives plus mob rule in Peckham
In today’s MetroTalk, readers are reacting to the results of last week’s local elections.
Where the Tories lost nearly 500 seats, and Labour secured a shock victory as Richard Parker was elected mayor in the West Midlands. Reform UK, also performed strongly in the Blackpool South by-election coming just 117 votes behind the Conservatives. So, what is Rishi Sunak to do?
Meanwhile, are the youth even more brazen than before? Is the notion that young men carry knives out of fear ridiculous? And should protesters respect the rule of law?
Share what you think about these topics and more in the comments
How long does Rishi Sunak have left?
Rishi Sunak’s party lost nearly 500 council seats and the mayoralty of the West Midlands at last week’s local elections (Metro, Tue).
The Tories are now on notice as to what the Reform Party could do to their number of seats at this year’s general election.
Do not forget that the main reason they did so well across the country in 2019 was because the Brexit Party stood aside in certain seats, allowing many Labour-held ‘red wall’ seats to be taken by the Tories. They will not have this luxury next time.
How long before the letters force Mr Sunak out? This will undoubtedly lead to a general election much more quickly than the Tories would like.
Having said that, they may well jump before being pushed, believing that the sooner Labour make a hash of things, the sooner they can come back thereafter.
The only thing wrong with that scenario is that another force may then be strong enough to take their place and rid our country of this two-party parliament. Jim, London
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‘Safe spaces for knive carrying youths? Don’t be ridiculous’
Michael’s comment that ‘the majority of young men carrying knives are doing so because they’re scared and vulnerable to a malicious minority’ (MetroTalk, Tue) is the most ridiculous comment I think I’ve seen in this paper’s 25-year history.
According to Michael, the gangs of young men roaming the streets carrying machetes and Rambo-style knives just need ‘safe spaces’!
Oh, and being stopped and searched by the police is damaging to them and deemed ‘draconian’?
I am not sure what world you live in, Michael, but it’s certainly not the real one. John, North London
Are the youth entitled?
Dramas involving youths abound once the weather improves, it seems.
Out shopping on a lovely spring day, I encountered two street marshals chatting. As they did, first one pavement cyclist sped by and then another did so. I asked the marshals if they could challenge these youths but they said no, it was a police matter.
Later, I was on a packed train where a teenager was playing very loud music.
Other passengers tried to ignore him. I asked the on-board supervisor if she could deal with the situation but she said no, not without additional help.
My observations are that such youths were born around the turn of the century, that they frequently travel alone and that they make their own rules.
Would not national conscription teach these youngsters self-control as well as consideration towards others? Antony Porter, London
Feral abuse on the trains since Covid
I completely agree with Alexis (MetroTalk, Fri) about the abuse faced by rail staff. I too had to come to work during the pandemic when all we were ferrying around
were drug dealers and kids, none of whom were wearing face masks.
And all the while I couldn’t see my family because we weren’t allowed to, while
those higher up sat at home shielding.
I have since changed jobs because of the constant verbal abuse and threats
from the public. It’s as if after lockdown was lifted, they lost all social skills and
are feral. Julie, London
The rule of law
Sophie (MetroTalk, Tue) praised the protesters arrested in Peckham after trying to stop asylum seekers being taken to the Bibby Stockholm barge, in part by slashing the bus’s tyres.
If you do not like the laws in this country, get involved in your local government affairs, become a councillor, an MP, sign petitions, vote and act along the correct channels of changing and making new laws. Mob rule and vandalism is a childish and irresponsible way to behave and has no place in today’s society. Denise, London
Sophie might not be quite so keen if protesters sought to overturn a law she approved of.If they did, I’m sure she’d be screaming for the police to do something. It is not within anyone’s remit to obey only the laws they approve of and disregard those they don’t. The rule of law should be sacrosanct and if you ignore that we are on the road to anarchy. John Daniels, Redhill
Nothing will change if you don’t vote
The percentage turnout to vote in the London mayoral elections was 40.5 per cent. This is utterly appalling.
I have no doubt the non-voters will be moaning that ‘nothing changes’. Well, it certainly won’t if you don’t bother to vote.
The upcoming general election will no doubt have a bigger turnout but even then large numbers won’t vote. John T Pharro, Canvey Island
We’re missing a golden opportunity to save lives in the developing world
The Philippines recently blocked the commercial propagation of genetically modified (GMO) golden rice, which could have helped combat childhood blindness and save lives in the developing world.
This is despite the fact GMOs have been shown to be safe and of no risk to the environment.
The World Health Organisation reports that vitamin A deficiency causes up to 500,000 cases of childhood blindness every year, with half of those dying within 12 months of losing their sight – mostly in developing countries. Golden rice can save lives.
Much of the responsibility for this decision – and similar ones – is down to environmental organisations such as Greenpeace and Friends Of The Earth.
They spread misinformation about the safety and effects on the environment of GMOs based not on science (which shows GMOs to be safe to eat and not harmful to the environment) but on their anti-GMO ideology. As a result, decisions are made that cost lives.
GMOs can help with climate change by being modified to adapt to a changing climate quicker than non-GMO crops – and also help with mitigation. But these environmental groups will try to stop that, too. It’s time to follow the science and reap the many benefits GMOs can provide.
Mark Dawes, London
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