Letters to the Editor

Several weeks ago you printed a letter from me imploring the Labour leader to reconsider the decision that no Labour councillor would hold a key position as long as Labour were not in power.

Several letters of a similar ilk followed, mostly (unfortunately) being from the other parties. None elicited a reply from the Labour leader.

However, your editorial puts the position very clearly and from an unbiased source: by sulking on the sidelines they are doing no favours either for their reputation as a group or for the people they were elected to represent.

What the Labour leader is now proving is, firstly, that his party represents itself and not the electorate, and secondly, that politics far supersede performance in the local council.

One has to wonder whether it is now time for politics to be removed from the running of the City of Bradford and this responsibility be given to professional experts who could be paid only on results and not on attendance.

All councillors are elected to serve the people to the best of their abilities. This they cannot do if they refuse to accept key positions that they excel at.

They were elected to serve, and should do so with dignity.

Michael D Stocks, The Coppies, Delph Hill, Wyke.

SIR - The Day of the Dinosaur has not yet passed! On Saturday evening I read, with total amazement, that Councillor Ryan is not allowed to take up the post of chairman of the North Bradford Area Panel, thanks to the dictatorial attitude of the Bradford Labour Party.

In spite of all the platitudes spoken at "the beginning of a new Millennium" the playground still rules; ie "If you won't play my way, I'm taking my bat home."

E C Huntley, Ashbourne Drive, Bradford 2.

SIR - The letter from Duncan Higgins (June 22) regarding the required resignation of PC Rick Pentith for racial abuse of a colleague misses the point.

The people who murdered Stephen Lawrence (not beat him up) are certainly racist, but what was made abundantly clear by the MacPherson report was that it was the racism within the police force that prevented a proper investigation being carried out and the perpetrators being brought to justice.

If justice is to mean anything it has to be justice for all, regardless of racial origin.

This means that racism in the police has to be eliminated, and that PC Pentith's conduct is unacceptable.

Barry Clark, Bradford Road, Shipley.

SIR - I felt compelled to write in response to a letter from P Glennon (T&A, June 23). I am astonished that he should sympathise with the plight of PC Rick Pentith.

If the allegations against Mr Pentith were substantiated then it would seem obvious to me that he can no longer represent a police force serving a multi-racial community.

The anger and frustration which apparently overcame Mr Pentith led him to be the author of his own downfall and as such he deserves no sympathy.

Martin Mogridge, Kirkgate, Shipley.

SIR - The 1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association, which was formed in 1953 with branches worldwide, has finally closed.

In honour of the 60th anniversary, members of the Bradford branch, along with wives and friends, were invited to a civic luncheon held in City Hall on June 12 as guests of the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress of Bradford, and this was a most enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Then on June 18, we all attended choral evensong at the Cathedral in the presence of the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress of Bradford when our branch standard was received by the Dean, The Very Revd John Richardson, to be laid up in the Cathedral.

This is the final chapter in the long history of our branch. On behalf of the branch president, officials and members, I would like to take the opportunity of thanking everyone at City Hall and at the Cathedral for their kindness and hospitality.

I can give assurance that the "Dunkirk Spirit" will live on until the last survivor.

Geoffrey Thorpe (vice-president, Bradford Branch, DVA), Ben Rhydding Road, Ilkley

SIR - The government is encouraging people to take out a private pension. They don't tell you that if you do you are worse off because you can't claim a penny from the state.

People who have never worked get all the benefits: rent allowances, Council Tax handouts. If you have been daft enough to save for a pension you get nothing.

If you have your own house and go into an old people's home, the government say sell it. If you have never worked or have worked and never saved a penny and had a good time, the government say "come on, now we will look after you."

What is the point? In my opinion it is discrimination and should go to the Human Rights Court if you are told to sell your home.

John Dawson, Frensham Drive, Great Horton

SIR - Once again we appear to be threatened by the withdrawal of the 671 Bradford/Leeds bus which travels via Pullan Avenue.

May I point out the hardship that this will cause to residents in Lower Harrogate Road and district who will be denied transport to the public library and meeting rooms, doctor's surgery etc.

There are many people without cars who find Pullan Avenue impossible to mount by foot.

I appeal to residents concerned about this to contact councillors and transport officials on this matter. It was only by constant appeal and objection that we were successful in getting the Leeds/Bradford 671 reinstated some years ago.

After all, we are urged to use public transport and some of us (usually the elderly and handicapped) have no choice!

Marjorie L Robinson, Victoria Road, Eccleshill.

SIR - With regards to the bus alterations round Eccleshill. There are a lot of elderly people in Eccleshill village and Pullan Avenue who use the buses frequently.

We are constantly being told to use public transport but how on earth are people supposed to do just that when the services are due to be axed or altered?

D Hoyle, Eccles Court, Eccleshill.

SIR - Regarding the report in the T&A of June 20 about the toilets in Idle.

There are now no public toilets in Idle, like most other places in Bradford, which is unique in the fact that citizens apparently do not need to use toilets.

These faceless people who answer criticism of that fact, have the gall to say we have no obligation to provide toilets.

What are people supposed to do when caught short? Do "whatever" in the street? I thought this was against the law?

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.