Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
Corbyn’s new party is an own goal for the left
The most significant thing that Jeremy Corbyn’s new political party (Metro, Fri) is likely to achieve is dividing Labour’s extreme left vote between two camps, which will reduce Labour’s overall support, and therefore help more right-wing political parties such as the Conservatives and Reform gain traction before the next General Election.
This should please rather than threaten ‘the rich and powerful’ he has vowed to ‘take on’.
As a football fan, Corbyn ought to know what is meant by scoring an own goal, but perhaps he doesn’t. Robert Hughes, London
Readers weigh in on 16-year-olds being given the vote
I don’t understand the furore about 16-year-olds being allowed to vote (MetroTalk, Tue). Regardless of whichever particular party is in power, MetroTalk will be full of letters asking why people voted for them. There will always be people unhappy with the government.
Instead of the Opposition childishly trying to score points against whoever is in power, the only sensible solution would be for the government to be a Coalition, made up of members from every political party, working together for the good of the people instead of for themselves. Owen, London
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If 16-year-olds get the vote they will probably be drawn to the Lib Dems, purely because Ed Davey’s stunts are social media-friendly.
Why bother with politics when you could be rolling downhill, strapped to a giant Wensleydale? Tess Kamara, via email
Perhaps if 16- and 17-year-olds had been allowed to vote in the referendum, we wouldn’t have been subjected to the debacle that is Brexit. Roger Smith, Witham
‘Where are all the police? With Trump’, says reader
Policemen are noticeable by their absence in most towns and cities and rarely bother turning up when a crime is reported – yet a reported 5,000 officers are suddenly available to protect a convicted felon from America on his visit to Turnberry in Scotland? Martin J Phillips, Leeds
The debate over dad in the gorilla costume rumbles on
I agree with Kim from Hornchurch (MetroTalk, Wed) about the grossly misjudged decision by the school that didn’t allow a student to wear a Union Jack dress. However, that’s not at all the same as an adult approaching a school wearing a gorilla costume.
For those who think it’s OK for a father to go to his child’s school in a gorilla costume, I suppose it would also be OK if a parent approached a school wearing a motorcycle helmet or maybe with a clown’s face painted on?
It’s interesting how when someone is admonished for doing something stupid and inconsiderate, they jump on to the bandwagon of calling those who disagree with their actions ‘woke’. Kehinde, London
The recent incident involving Chris Napthine collecting his daughter from school in a gorilla costume reminds me of the Not The Nine O’Clock News sketch where Professor Timothy Fielding is describing his early experience with Gerald the Gorilla. Fielding says, ‘When I first encountered Gerald, he was completely wild.’ Gerald then replies, ‘Wild? I was absolutely livid! Stephen Dugdale, Sheffield
Reader asks ‘where is the consistency in jail sentences?’
In Wednesday’s Metro, on page seven, there were two tragic stories of women being stabbed to death by their ex partners. One perpetrator was jailed for a minimum of 28 years and the other 15 years. Where is the consistency? Malcolm Hair, Surrey
Is Doctor Who doomed?
John Coyne (MetroTalk, Wed), voiced concern about Doctor Who stories not being as good as they once were. I agree. Some of the recent series have been quite weak and I have sat watching, almost willing a decent storyline to appear.
Sadly, the least effective Doctor in recent times was Jodie Whittaker. I had no issue with the character being female, but Jodie was completely unsuited to the role. There are many fine female actors who could have done a far superior job.
I understand that ratings have been falling and I am not surprised. If the writers don’t write decent episodes and soon, then it will not be long before the series is taken off air and it may not return for some 20 years, as was the case, a few years back. Ed Lewis, Mansfield
