Letters to the Editor

SIR - Re the letter from Peter Rushworth (T&A, May 6) regarding the perceived danger when the Great Northern Trail opens and public access is gained to the former Great Northern Railway track bed and viaducts along the route.

Hewenden viaduct is totally harmless, and has stood quietly minding its own business for 50 years since the last train passed over it. The only danger would come from misuse by humans. Used correctly the trail and its viaducts will become a major asset to the area.

Does Mr Rushworth want to ban canal towpaths because you may fall in and drown? Did you never climb a tree, go fishing, or do what little boys do as they gain experience in the world?

We live in world where there is an overbearing tendency for ourselves and our offspring to become wrapped in cotton wool. Modern children are being exposed to a world where all sense of adventure and discovery is being reduced, much to their detriment.

Far better they get out on the Great Northern Trail and experience the real world rather than the virtual one that lives in the home computer.

Mark Neale, (Sustrans Ranger-Great Northern Trail), Oxford Road, Queensbury.

Well said, sir!

SIR - George Bernard Shaw made the following controversial observation: "Democracy is a system which guarantees that people get the Government they deserve."

If ever the great man's viewpoint was vindicated by posterity it was in the result of the General Election.

Perhaps further comment would be superfluous!

Bryan Owram, Main Street, Esholt.

Sound of defeat

SIR - Watching the election results unfold on TV, I was struck by the rather pleasant gurgling noise in the background - the sound of UKIP and BNP deposits disappearing down the plug-hole...music to the ears.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

Thanks for honesty

SIR - Now the General Election is finally behind us, the winners have all won, the losers have all lost, please try to be humble in victory and magnanimous in defeat - the outcome is more important than any candidate's or supporter's ego.

To those candidates who fought an honest campaign, whether you won or lost, you deserve all our thanks for sustaining the democratic ideals by which we live - we will welcome your candidacy again.

To those who failed to live up to that aim, please pack up your tents and take your sordid version of politics elsewhere - it has no place in our society.

I look forward to all the victorious local candidates delivering on their promises to their electors and I am sure my fellow contributors to this page will help hold them all to account over the next five years.

Graham Hoyle, Kirkbourne Grove, Baildon, Shipley.

Our constitution

SIR - It would seem that Mr Timberley misunderstands the nature of an unwritten constitution (T&A, May 4).

A written constitution of a sovereign state refers to a codified system devised to clarify the rights and obligations of its people and how the country is to be administered. The power of the executive, judiciary and legislature would be clarified, as would the seniority of its legislature. The USA and France are holders of a written constitution.

In contrast the United Kingdom holds an unwritten constitution, meaning that a codified system of law is not available. Rather, constitutional changes have been made in a gradual fashion, clarifying the power of the relevant bodies, such as the Parliamentary Act (1911).

This act is a written document and establishes the House of Commons as a superior legislative body to that of the House of Lords.

While in Britain we do not hold a Bill of Rights, which are normally part of a written constitution, the law has established through precedence many of our rights and obligations and also through legislation.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Bradford.

Unwritten 'rules'

SIR - J Timberley (T&A, May 4) asks if anybody can explain British democracy. It is one based on worldwide acceptance for hundreds of years.

Just as in the armed forces one salutes the uniform, not the wearer of it, MPs swear an oath to the country through its head of state, whether or not it is elected.

We make a bad enough job as it is of electing our governing body. Perish the thought that the electorate could elect Tony Blair as head of state.

I should imagine Mr Timberley voted for someone who helped to keep Blair in office and many (not including me) would argue that New Labour, with less than 40 per cent of the vote, was not democratically elected.

Is the PM democratically elected in all cases, and it is he who instructs the Crown what to do?

It is the unwritten constitution which provides for that and it is why it is called a Constitutional Monarchy.

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

Question of funds

SIR - Sheila Ognissanti (T&A, May 6) hit the nail on the head when she said St Mary's School was Catholics-only at one time, not mixed as it is now.

Sister Madalena was headmistress and woe betide at Monday assembly if you hadn't been to Mass on Sunday.

There were four masses then - 9.30am was mainly for the schoolchildren and every mass was well supported with good collections.

There were also three priests and the parish priest, so one of them used to visit the parishioners and do outdoor collection.

If they don't get funds in these days, you can't pay funds out.

Let's hope there is a solution to keep St Mary's School open.

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.

See the good side

SIR - I totally agree with the report in the T&A as regards the media portraying Bradford as a slum town.

All cities have a bad side to them. We are amazed the media does not see the better, the best and the beautiful side of Bradford.

Why don't they come and get a Bradfordian view of Bradford, instead of imaginary stories?

On the issue of electoral fraud we believe any fraud or irregularities in the electoral system should be severely dealt with in the form of imprisoning the culprit, whoever they may be.

Muhammad Azam (president) Horton Grange Residents' Association, St Margaret's Road, Horton Grange.

No tip for driver!

SIR - We came by train to Bradford to visit relatives.

Being 'Bradfordians in exile' we purchased the Telegraph & Argus before leaving the city. We agree with the letter headed "Taxis deserve to lose custom" (T&A, May 5).

The fare from the Interchange (10.30am) to our destination was £4.80. The return journey (1.15pm, same route) was £6.20!

The return driver did not get a tip.

Mr and Mrs K Franks, Thorngumbald Road, Paull, East Yorkshire.

It's so annoying

SIR - This council will not clean my road gullies out even though I pay council tax.

So it was again annoying to read in your paper where some of my council tax is going - another £300,000 on a certain area of this city.

Yet though I am left with little over £100 per week to pay for everything, I have to find a private contractor for my gullies.

P Glennon, Craven Terrace, Bradford.