Letters to the Editor

SIR - Re the postal-vote dispute going to the Lords (T&A, January 23), MP Chris Leslie says "There are... low turnouts at elections... it is reasonable we should debate it."

He has been in politics a long time. What are his views? Some of us have debated this and formed an opinion long ago.

Labour and Tories had a stranglehold on British politics and still do in some areas. Voting for other parties seemed a waste of time. In areas dominated by one party, even voting for the "other" party was a waste. With more parties to vote for, as David Barnett's piece on voting systems showed (T&A, January 21), under our antiquated "first-past-the post" voting system, an extremist - indeed any candidate - needs only one vote more than say, each of four others to win.

Proportional representation (eg the "single-transferable-vote" that we Brits use in Northern Irish local elections), might encourage bigger turnouts. One's vote (if only second or third choice), would count for something.

This may give the BNP a better chance of representation, but rather this than be dominated by them on a minority vote.

John Hall, Pennithorne Avenue, Baildon.

Alternative votes

SIR - Regarding David Barnett's article on electoral reform (T&A, January 21), it doesn't matter how the people in power want to dress it up, it still comes down to the simple fact that Labour, the Tories and the Lib-Dems are intimidated by competition which seriously threatens the status quo of power.

After all, nobody has complained about the system for the last 50 years up until now.

David Barnett should identify and publish the reasons why well-behaved, well-educated taxpayers of Bradford wish to vote for alternative political parties.

I dare suggest he might find these people are actually only guilty of wanting to live in a civilised society where riots, car-jackings, drug crime, racist assaults and political correctness are highlighted and tackled rather than swept under the carpet.

C Whittingham, Highfield Road, Idle

Look at reasons

SIR - How can the Electoral Reform Society, which is making a case for proportional representation because of the BNP's success in local elections, even dare to call itself democratic?

The current electoral system has been in place for many years and no-one has complained so far. If they want people to stop voting for the BNP they should look at the reasons why it is doing so well.

Mark Holmes, New Park Road, Queensbury

Wrong conclusion

SIR - I cannot see how Mr Best (Letters, January 21) arrived at his position regarding my earlier letter on the current religious debate, when I merely observed that believers tended to argue from "authority" and non-believers tended towards excess cynicism.

Mr Best chooses to justify the existence of a divinity by recourse to "cause and effect". We presume causality in our day-to-day experience and it is assumed in classical physics. However scientists have shown that, at a sub-atomic level, events occur which do not always have an obvious causal link to previous events and thus in quantum mechanics explanations are not only sought via causality.

Mr Best also employs the ontological argument to argue in favour of divinity, namely that one can only conceive of something which has an underlying reality. He also chooses to argue from design. Unfortunately these arguments do not validly demonstrate the existence of a divine being.

In contrast, mystics argue that we cannot become aware of the unknown from the known and we need to "still" our thoughts. It is understood that our knowledge of the world is an impediment to becoming aware of the unknown.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton

A national profile

SIR - We were extremely pleased that Tony Kendle, from the Eden Project, came up to Bradford from Cornwall to speak at our launch. He was able to explain to the audience why Spice! is the only project in the UK that has "got under the wire" and gained Eden's backing.

Eden did not come to Bradford as a "one-off", but have confirmed they will continue to help Spice! in its design, development and financial planning and implementation at their own, not Bradford's, cost.

Our many other national and regional partners (e.g. Kew Gardens, Team Food Yorkshire, Royal Horticultural Society and International Cuisine Group) are all offering their skills, expertise and partnership backing alongside Yorkshire Forward. Other Yorkshire-based, successful attractions (e.g. Harewood House, Thackray Museum, Eureka) have all approached us to work with them.

We will shortly be announcing joint projects with several high-profile museums from other parts of the UK. Getting this calibre of endorsement and partnership working for a Bradford initiative should indicate to Bradfordians that Spice! already has a national profile, as well as a great deal of local backing, which bodes well for its future.

Jan Smithies (Project Director), Prince Street, Haworth

Theatre for Odeon

SIR - The Odeon has to be saved. We have lost a lot of beautiful buildings in the past and should have learned our lesson by now.

All we do is pull down great buildings and replace them with brick, concrete and glass rubbish. A lot of pride went into building Bradford in its heyday and the Odeon is part of that pride. Where else do you see buildings of this calibre, with its domes and columns?

This building is one of Bradford's most important landmarks and we don't want it replacing with contemporary rubbish like the one going up in front of City Hall.

It should be converted to another grand theatre, conference venue and concert hall complimenting the Alhambra.

Come on, Bradfordians, support this cause: the Odeon must be listed.

Q Baig, Parkside Road, Bradford

Grant query

SIR - Barry Foster was right (Letters, January 8) to focus on the origins of the Toy Library's funding crisis.

For years the Council's Community Grants Budget supported the Toy Library. Then one day, apparently, the grant was stopped. Why?

In the end, the heroic efforts now being made by sympathisers including the T&A are no substitute for a regular, reliable income and will only defer the inevitable.

The Council must answer the question: why was the grant stopped?

Jim Flood, Redburn Drive, Shipley

End of the road

SIR - Many English, Scottish and Welsh people no longer call themselves British. I may be officially British but only because it's forced on me.

The term is outdated and should be dumped in the dustbin of history. However the idea is for the UK and EU governments to dump England and the English. The end comes next year, but only if enough of us do not vote against regional assemblies. The Scots and Welsh are to remain; the English are to be wiped out.

Eric Firth, Wellington Street, Wilsden.

Selective views

SIR - How predictable that the Muslim Council of Britain finds Kilroy-Silk "breathtakingly racist" (T&A, January 17).

I understand the original article had referred to "Arab regimes" and did not brand all Arabs in the same way. Does the council deny that some Arab states inflict punishments of limb amputation, some repress women and some condone suicide bombing? Wouldn't it have been nice if the council had breathtakingly denounced such states and their followers?

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.