Readers' letters - February 20

Democracy is a wonderful concept which has many admirers until it produces a result which some voters don’t want (WEP February 7).

As voters, we may not like the result of any particular election but that doesn’t mean we can dismiss those who hold a different point of view to our own as some sort of ignorant moron who didn’t know what they were voting for.

To imply that we, who voted to leave the EU, were the “wrong kind of people” who hadn’t weighed up the pros and cons of leaving, as they in the remain camp had, is laughable. The Lib Dems, Labour, SNP, Greens, Lords and most of the Tories had made up their minds to stay in the EU way before the referendum was called. David Cameron’s catchphrase, “I rule nothing out”, was the highlight of his ludicrous campaign to reform the EU.

In fact, he ruled everything in and was laughed at for his trouble. Furthermore, the assertion that only 37 per cent of the electorate voted to leave is ridiculous as it is on record that more voted to leave than voted to remain. Those who didn’t bother to vote cannot be counted.

As we are swamped with politicians, quangos and trade unions, I don’t think we need any help from the EU to protect our workers’ rights when their citizens are flocking here because there is little prospect of employment in their own countries.

I expect we will leave the undemocratic, wasteful and overbearing EU in a fair and civilised manner. They will still need what we have to offer and vice versa but we won’t be ruled by them. I and others may not get everything that we want from the ‘divorce’ but that’s democracy.

Alan Crawford

via email

Is less better than more?

I don’t like to read stories about children being brought up in poverty.

It upsets me, it would anyone with a heart.

Life is very expensive.

Bringing children up is a serious financial commitment that will last for many, many years.

I just think that sometimes having children when there’s not much money about is not a good idea. Yes, you could be working, but if you lose your job and you have children, making ends meet will be hard.

Yet how many times do we hear of families on benefits with several kids that are struggling?

I have only the one child.

He’s not spoilt by any means but looking after him to a decent standard is by no means cheap.

I stuck at only one as I knew any more – even with two incomes – and paying nearly £200 a week nursery fees and everything else, it wasn’t worth the financial struggle.

Maybe less is more.

Name and address supplied

Heart disease

is heartless

Heart disease is heartless. Thousands of people in North West are killed each year by these terrible conditions, so the need to find new, life-saving treatments, is urgent. Around 843,600 people across the region are living with these terrible conditions.

This month is national Heart Month, and the British Heart Foundation is calling on the local community to help us stop heart disease in its tracks. We’re launching a calendar of over 80 incredible challenge events, both in the UK and abroad, to inspire people to get active and help us accelerate the fight against heart disease.

From fun runs and marathons, walks and treks, to the BHF’s prestigious cycling series sponsored by Tesco and Jaffa, there’s no reason not to get involved. We are looking for Champions to take on one of our legendary challenge events and help us power vital research that could make a difference to millions. You can sign up to a BHF event by visiting bhf.org.uk/events for a full list of ways to get involved.

Shonali Rodrigues

Head of Events at British Heart Foundation