Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
‘Those claiming to protest in the name of women’s safety have defended Andrew Tate’, says reader
Jon (MetroTalk, Thu) discusses the protests in Epping against the use of a hotel to house asylum seekers.
He says they are based on concerns for the safety of women and girls and criticises government minister Jess Phillips for not voicing the same concerns.
However, many of those claiming to protest in the name of women’s safety – or supporting those who do – have defended Andrew Tate, who has been criticised for his misogynistic views.
This raises serious doubts about their true motives.
It appears that the issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is being co-opted as a political tool — a convenient cover for broader protests targeting asylum seekers and refugees.
This tactic mirrors strategies seen in other parts of Europe.
It’s likely that the next step will be claiming to protect LGBTQ people from asylum seekers, despite the fact that many of these same individuals support policies that harm the LGBTQ community in the UK.
Ultimately, it seems they are willing to exploit any marginalised group to advance their political agenda against asylum seekers and refugees. Alfiaz, London
There’s ‘barely one asylum seeker per square mile’, why not be kind? Asks reader
Some people seem to be seeing asylum seekers everywhere. No wonder they keep screaming, ‘We’re being invaded.’
First, former Reform MP Rupert Lowe mistook charity rowers off Great Yarmouth for ‘illegal immigrants’.
Then residents in a Welsh village thought Scouts from Scotland must be migrants because of their accents.
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Now caravan park operator Haven has had to issue a statement saying its facilities aren’t being used to house asylum seekers. Apparently, it was sparked by social media posts claiming that ‘coaches of men’ had been turning up to some caravan parks.
The UK is more than 94,000 square miles. At the end of March, there were nearly 110,000 asylum seekers – so barely one per square mile. The overall 68million UK population means there are more than 700 of us per square mile.
It’s unlikely you are going to see an asylum seeker today. Even if you do, please be nice – not racist. Peter Packham, Chair, Leeds for Europe
Reader on new property tax proposal: ‘Is it home-owners fault others don’t own their homes?’
How dare James Murray-Smith (MetroTalk, Thu) describe a tax on selling your home being considered by chancellor Rachel Reeves as a tax on ‘unearned’ wealth.
Maybe he inherited his property unearned but the rest of us worked hard, often forgoing things, in order to get on the so-called property ladder.
So no, it is not ‘unearned’, which implies undeserving. As to it being ‘unavailable to those who do not own their own homes’, so what?
Is it the seller or home-owners’ fault others don’t own their homes? It’s thinking like this that makes me despair! So much for getting to own your own home as so many of our young are struggling to do. Agatha, Surrey
A tax wont raise prices, just trim profits
Some estate agents have warned that house-sellers will simply pass the cost of this tax on to buyers. They’re wrong.
The price of a house isn’t controlled by what the owner wants – it is controlled by what the market is willing to pay.
Otherwise, owners would sell for however much money they fancied.
This tax – which is only being considered for homes above £500,000 – would mean people selling their houses will just end up with less money.
Which is fine – they’ll still have at least £450,000, which is enough for a deposit and plenty to spare. JWA Caley, St Pancras
Reader says Britain is ‘living beyond its means’, and the taxpayers will pay the price
Rupert Fast’s letter (MetroTalk, Thu) should be read by Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Britain is indeed, as he says, ‘living beyond its means’.
This fact has lead to UK gilt yields – the price the market demands for government loans – hitting the highs last seen during Liz Truss’s tenure.
This, therefore, supports Mr Fast and means that Britain has to pay more to service growing debt.
That of course means Jo and Joe Public paying through taxes.
Fares, food, broadband and council taxes have all risen more than inflation.
The government must reduce spending and reduce debt. Fast. Graham Reid, Stockport
