Letters to the Editor

SIR - On the first of this month, the using of a hand-held mobile phone when driving became illegal. So why is the police force of West Yorkshire taking a softly-softly approach in enforcing this law?

Who will explain to the victims of accidents, or their families in the case of a fatality, that the police did not think it important enough to enforce this law from day one?

It is a sad reflection on the police force that it is more concerned with molly-coddling the offenders than with protecting the populace in general.

P Antonie, Moorside Gardens, Eccleshill.

Time to get out

SIR - I have just returned from a tour of the European Union membership countries and I have been amazed at the negative comments from those who are in the EU.

The biggest farce is the European Court of Human Rights. This is the most misused concept ever produced. When it was first formed to protect the weak it was good, but now it only protects the evil and wrongdoers.

There are other fallacies too. There is not one good reason for Britain to join this collective, undemocratic conglomeration. We have to get out of our semi-commitment now: it will save us thousands of millions of pounds (yes, "pounds"). We can relinquish the silly laws, including the human rights caper: the British can make their own Human Rights Law for the good law-abiding citizens, not the evil and the wrongdoers.

We have never had to answer to anybody before so why start now? Our allegiance has always been with America and should continue so. A referendum gets further away each day as people get used to our approaching downfall of suggested membership to the non-elected, corrupt, overpaid, accountable-only-to-themselves party in Brussels. This, also, would solve our immigration problem.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford.

Give us a vote

SIR - We are at a loss to comprehend why the Government wants a paving bill to allow a potential referendum on joining the eurozone. Have they been reading the reports about France and Germany effectively opting out of the so-called Stability Pact?

As a consequence, the governments of Austria, Holland, Ireland and Portugal have rightly protested that they have made sacrifices to meet the club rules and are rightly angry that the big two have walked away from their obligations.

However our government is denying us the right to vote on a new EU constitution.

Regardless of whether one is in favour of the new constitution or not, surely it is the British people who should have the right to vote for or against any constitutional change?

Since New Labour has come into power they have had 38 referendums on absurd projects like elected mayors, so why do they deny a vote on a fundamental change that impacts on the whole country?

Councillor Elaine Sims, Yorkshire Liberal Party, Sandringham Court, Bradley, Huddersfield and Councillor Steve Radford, Liberal Party Chairman, Sutton Street, Tuebrook, Liverpool.

A sticky end

SIR - Since 1920, I have lived through all the terrible crimes perpetrated by sovereign powers in Europe and their colonies world-wide.

Starting with the First World War and continuing with little respite, there has been war in some parts of our continent and, twice, virtually the whole of it was ablaze.

For the first time, there is just the possibility, through the European Union, of restraining the excessive claims of so-called sovereign states. The EU should have powers to deal with real and imagined injustices between neighbours, thereby establishing a just and peaceful settlement. Also, through the United Nations, the EU could foretell such unjustified aggression as the invasion of Iraq.

From experience in that area 60 years ago, I know that while George Bush and Tony Blair would like to call it quits about now, their Islamic opponents' anger against their infidels will not be assuaged within this generation. Soft words and fat bribes will not buy them off.

The Islamic people have less need of the West than the West's desperation for their oil and minerals.

Historically, imperialism always comes to a sticky end, thank God.

Robert Hornsby, Bredon Avenue, Shipley.

Wheelie stupid...

SIR - We have been waiting four months for Bradford Council to replace our "wheelie" bin which was stolen in August.

The Council told me there are thousands of people throughout the district in the same situation. They say the bin manufacturers cannot keep pace with orders for replacement "wheelie" bins because they are full to capacity making new "recycling" bins.

I wonder if anyone can explain the logic of trying to extend the use of additional "recycling" bins when the production capacity is not available to maintain an adequate supply of basic, general-purpose bins?

Dale Deacon, Cockin Lane, Bradford.

Act of kindness

SIR - On Wednesday, November 26, I left a bag of shopping hanging on the hook of a supermarket shopping trolley. To the kind person who handed it into the checkout, may I say "thank you."

Mrs Daphne White, Westburn Crescent, Keighley.

New lease of life

SIR - One year on since having a quadruple heart bypass at the age of 67, I feel like a two-year-old.

I have been camping in the Welsh mountains with my wife, enjoyed water sports with my eldest son and taken up tap dancing with my granddaughters.

All this is thanks to Mr Kaul and the multi-racial team at the Yorkshire Clinic.

Bradford has had so much bad publicity over racial tensions - it was great to see so many nationalities all working together in harmony. Thank you all.

Paul Robinson, March Cote Lane, Cottingley.

Cheeky moaners

SIR - The T&A, the Tories and Letters Page are getting excited about the relief road for Bingley. I've good news for you all: The road is opening when it's ready.

Who is opening it? you ask. The only choice is Council leader Margaret Eaton; she opens everything else. The road will be handed over by the Highway Agency on completion.

The cheek of all you moaners and knockers: Margaret Eaton blames John Prescott for stopping construction in 1997. Yet the Tories had over 30 years to construct it but forgot to order the concrete and tarmac.

Our MP Chris Leslie stood up in Parliament in 1998 and spoke for 30 minutes on behalf of Bingley and its people to get the relief road back into the road-building plans. Because of that speech and his passion for Bingley, the road is now nearing completion ahead of schedule.

M A Chapman, Staveley Road, Bingley.

Successful day

SIR - May I, through the T&A, thank all who supported and took part in the remembrance parade and service, both at the Cenotaph and church.

Special thanks go to the scouts, cubs, brownies and all who took part in the parade.

May I also thank all who helped with the poppy collection, especially Mrs N Wood and Mrs B Morton who provided lunch for members who counted a marvellous collection of £1,065.

See you all next year, hopefully!

Leslie Evans (chairman, Queensbury Royal British Legion), Ambler Thorn, Queensbury.

A taxing issue

SIR - Unlike Alec Suchi and his Bradford Rail Users Group, who are always writing in, I do not want a cross-city rail link.

I cannot see any benefit but if Alec and his group are willing to pay my share of the cost of the rise (once again) of council tax, which would be bound to happen, then I will go along with him. But I will still not be using it as it is no use to me.

There are more important things needed in Bradford and I am already paying far too much council tax for the services I get.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe