Letters to the Editor

SIR - Brian Holmans (T&A, June 8) seems to think that because I beat Chris Leslie in the General Election, I should now support his decision to introduce all-postal ballots for the previous year's local and European elections.

I must admit that I really do not understand his point.

All I can say to Mr Holmans is that people should not be forced to vote by post. The trial that Chris Leslie introduced was a shambles and the independent Electoral Commission has said there should never be an all-postal ballot again.

A High Court judge said that this left our voting system resembling a 'banana republic'.

However, the Government appear to be ignoring all the evidence, advice and public opinion, and will not rule out another such trial.

Mr Holmans must be the only person in this area, even in his own party, to still believe all-postal ballots were a success.

Why my victory over Chris Leslie in the General Election should change my mind about this, I really do not know.

Philip Davies, Member of Parliament for Shipley, Hartlington Court, Baildon

Unwanted plan

SIR - Now Philip Davies MP has been installed as the Bradford district's new right-wing leading light, he needs to explain why the Tory Council are planning to cripple Shipley town centre with a half-baked and unpopular 'Airedale Masterplan' which had barely any consultation with traders or residents.

This Tory Masterplan that Mr Davies is so proud of involves less car parking in the town centre, further to walk from the buses and the obliteration of shops and traders, regardless of what these traders themselves want.

Philip Davies has failed to criticise the Masterplan, and his 'slash-and-burn' strategy smacks of arrogance and poor planning. If this scheme isn't changed before the summer we'll know the truth behind his claim to be 'independent' from the Tory whip.

I hope Mr Davies will tell Margaret Eaton how much anger there is among traders in Shipley, but I doubt it.

Mrs White, Nab Wood Rise, Shipley.

Smoking and pubs

SIR - I feel your footnote to a recent letter concerning "non-smoking" and "smoking" pubs showed great intolerance.

You said that where there was only one local it would be unfair to expect a non-smoker to travel, implying it is quite fair for smokers to have to do so.

Smokers buy a legal product and expect to be able to use it on somebody else's property where the owner of said property has, personally, no objection to its use.

I am no longer a smoker, but in past years I must have paid a small fortune to the exchequer.

There are many elderly people, who started smoking in ignorance of its bad effects on health and who are, lets face it, addicted. Is it just that a man or woman 70-plus should not be allowed to enjoy a smoke with his drink, which is something else that contributes handsomely to government revenues?

There is usually more than one local pub but if there is only one, then a separate room for non-smokers should be provided.

My biggest hate in pubs is when someone has doused himself in that nauseating aftershave "Brut". It makes me sick. Will anyone join me in banning it?

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: As far as I know the smell of "Brut" doesn't cause cancer in those who are forced to sit next to wearers of it!

Lost opportunity

SIR - Bradford has a beautiful art gallery which no doubt went a long way in helping Lister Park to be voted the best city park in the north of England.

However, other cities - Hull, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool among them - have city centre art galleries.

It cannot be underestimated how important the Photography, Film and Television museum has been to Bradford city centre in this way, so it would seem that J A Hackett's suggestion of an art gallery for the former Odeon building is the best one yet, filling an obvious need and completing a great cultural quarter with thenphotography museum and superb Alhambra Theatre.

J A Hackett says 'simple, isn't it'. I would agree with him, but would qualify it with two simple words - if only, often uttered with regard to missed or lost opportunity.

Iain Morris, Caroline Street, Saltaire.

One law for one...

SIR - I am writing in regards to the recent publicity about Mr John Hardaker, the florist on James Street who is having problems with his display on the pavement.

There are a number of wheelie bins obstructing the pavement at the junction of Godwin/Darley Street but nothing is done about them, even though the people to whom they belong have a road at the rear of the shops where the bins are supposed to be, but instead they would rather obstruct the pathway and use the back alley as a car park.

There is one law for one and another for others.

The Council itself breaks its own rules technically every week by having people put their wheelie bin out for emptying and then leave them half a day.

Is this not an obstruction that should also come under the same law as having a display outside one's shop?

D Marsh, Prospect Street, East Bowling.

Charge won't work

SIR - I cannot understand why people are running round like headless chickens over the proposed charge for driving on the roads from 2p to £1.34 per mile.

You have to smile at such people who obviously have no idea of business methods. There is not and there never was any intention of charging £1.34 per mile but in two years' time when they re-propose 30p (or something very much lower than £1.34) people will think and say: "Well that's better than what they were thinking of last time."

I am no mathematician but even I can work out that this proposal is impossible to implement, especially if they are going to drop road tax and petrol duty.

If anyone wishes to have a bet with me on this I will gladly take your money.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke

Carbon care

SIR - I notice that one of the Council's key priorities (T&A, June 8) is to improve the environment and the main target for this is the reduction of waste and more recycling.

Good as it may be this does not go far enough and it is disappointing that the Council has not followed the lead of a number of other authorities in setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A growing number of councils now have carbon policies, and with public buildings, schools, transport fleets, and much open space in council ownership there is much that could be done.

Indeed a careful council could be trading on the carbon market and earning revenue to offset council tax.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford

Unjust request

SIR - I was appalled to read (T&A, June 10) that Shipley College staff are being asked to take voluntary redundancies.

I have had the privilege to work alongside the staff at this college, supporting students with special needs. As a result of their efforts and dedication, these students blossom and achieve self-worth and many go on to find employment.

To think that we taxpayers pay for people in prison, living a life of luxury - three meals a day in warm, comfortable surroundings, with education given and health issues sorted, whatever crime they have committed - and yet these very special people are having their options cut because there is no money!

Well, excuse me! Am I mad to think that this is unfair, unjust and totally insane?

Mary North, Croft Mill, Sharp Street, Wibsey