Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
Iran chants at protest raise questions over messaging
Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, chanting, ‘Stop bombing Iran’ and waving Iranian flags.
In doing so, they effectively showed support for the Iranian regime, which has been formally found in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation commitments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors.
This apparent contradiction highlights a shift in stance among some on the radical Left – voices that once strongly advocated for global nuclear disarmament now seem comfortable with Iran developing its own nuclear arsenal.
It’s a striking example of ideological inconsistency, reminiscent of George Orwell’s satirical phrase from Animal Farm that, ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’
Rather than treating it as irony, today’s radical Left seems to embrace it as a guiding principle in their political approach. D Frencel, London
Standing with Gaza doesn’t make you extreme, says reader
William appears to criticise Greta Thunberg (MetroTalk, Mon) for attempting to break Israel’s aid blockade on Gaza. I regard the environmental activist and others trying to bring food and hope as courageous.
I’ve kept a cartoon from your cartoonist, Guy, that shows a woman with a placard saying, ‘Please stop killing people.’ Two suited males walk by and sneer, ‘Bloody extremists.’ How true that was!
All Greta and her colleagues want is to help people and break the inhumane blockade. Charles Stoll, Halesowen
Debate isn’t hate
When people raise the matter of borders and migration, they are all too often accused of hating migrants – and hate is a crime nowadays.
When people raise the matter of women’s rights, they often get accused of hating trans people. Any disagreement with trans ideology is called an ‘attack on trans people’s identities’ or ‘transphobic hate’. When people raise the matter of net zero, they are often accused of hating the planet. Any disagreement with net zero policy is called an ‘attack on humanity’ or ‘misanthropic’.
The false accusation of hate is intended to prevent free discussion, Will Podmore, London
Sometimes the few come first
Colin (MetroTalk, Tue) says the church bells of Mytholmroyd being silenced by complaints from just three residents is an example of ‘minority rules’.
I see it as a community giving up something that gives them pleasure for the wellbeing of a few it causes harm – something that sits well with the teachings of most faiths, I believe.
Personally, I enjoy the sound of church bells but understand how it may cause unnecessary discomfort to people with conditions I have no knowledge of.
To paraphrase a certain Starship captain, sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. Jules, Leeds
Tories didn’t act on grooming gangs either
Quite rightly, Kemi Badenoch is up in arms that it has taken Sir Keir Starmer almost a year to set in motion a national inquiry into predatory gangs grooming girls for sexual abuse and rape.
Presumably it was only the pressures of time which prevented her own party’s administration from initiating such a process at any point in the preceding 14 years. Julian Self, Wolverton
Criticism of Labour’s record on grooming gangs resurfaces
With Labour in power I won’t hold my breath regarding justice for the victims of grooming gangs.
Only last month, leader of the house of commons Lucy Powell claimed it was a ‘dog whistle’ for the far right when the issue was raised during Radio 4’s Any Questions. When he was leader of the party, Jeremy Corbyn reportedly sacked frontbencher and Rotherham MP Sarah Champion after she highlighted the problem in her constituency.
Sadly there are many more such cases of the Left ignoring the victims.Andrew Watson, Halesowen
It’s not just London that needs transport funding
Further to letter regarding transport spending in the capital compared with elsewhere (MetroTalk, June 10).
I have lived in both London and the rural East Midlands. London has had far more than its fair share for far too long.
One of the key reasons people are so sick of politicians in the ‘Westminster bubble’ is because they’ve spent so much money on the city they work in, when the rest of the country needs it so much more.
This resentment certainly contributed to the Brexit vote, and is still being exploited by the likes of Farage and co. JWA Caley, St Pancras
A dignified end doesn’t need a new law
Further to debate about the proposed bill to permit assisted dying. William says it would restore people’s dignity, while Eileen says it would send the message that ‘some lives aren’t worth living’ (both MetroTalk, Fri).
I am opposed to a change in the law. My late husband was given a year to live and lived for another 15 years.
I refused to allow him to be taken to hospital as I feared they would ‘assist’ his dying because of his age.
Every time they sent an ambulance for him, the crew checked that he didn’t want to go.
He died with dignity at home, with all his children telling him they loved him and holding his hand.
A new law would see us end up as the situtation with abortion has done – free for all, no questions asked and people travelling to the UK to take advantage of the permissive legislation. Elayne M Benjami, via email
