Readers' letters - February 24

Chris Moncrieff, in his column headed Who are the real Brexit ‘tyrants’?, states that he does not understand what is meant by “the tyranny of the majority” with regard to the outcome of the EU referendum (WEP February 21).

Let me explain.

Those of us who voted to Remain now find ourselves being told to “get over it, you lost!”, and to get behind the decision, or are referred to as ‘remoaners’ because we fundamentally disagree with the majority. We are told we are ‘anti-democratic’ for disagreeing with the ‘winners’.

That is what is meant by the tyranny of the majority, where those who disagree are portrayed as unpatriotic, and told to shut up and get in line.

Well, that is not how democracy works. In a real democracy, people have the right to disagree with the majority, to continue to fight for what they believe in, and to stick to their principles.

In the case of Brexit, for millions of people that means continuing to believe that Britain would be better off remaining in the EU, and continuing to make the case for that. After all, those who never wanted Britain in the EU in the first place fought for 40 years to overturn the 1975 referendum result!

And don’t forget, if Chris Moncrieff really believes that the Leave side won the referendum “reasonably handsomely”, he either has a short memory or is bad at maths.

Leave won by the most narrow of margins, and represented only 37 per cent of those eligible to vote, not a majority at all, really! Many who could have voted – like EU nationals resident in the UK – were excluded from the vote. So, for the sake of a mature democracy, let’s have an end to this ‘tyranny of the majority’, Mr Moncrieff.

John Wright

Address supplied

Green light for shops to close

What cynical economics by the Government and local councils.

High Street shops are struggling to survive, so instead of the Government and local councils freezing or even reducing business rates, they have a “brainwave” and hike them up.

If there ever was a green light for local shops to thrive – this isn’t it.

It’s a green light for more shops to close down.

But isn’t it about time these “charity shops” started to pay some business rates?

Their items are donated, yet they hike up their prices to the customer.

The days of paying NO business rates are now over, and they should now contribute to the economy and pay their fair share in taxes.

I fear I will watch more businesses on the High Street close down.

The future most certainly does NOT look too bright

for the once bustling High Street shops! RIP!

Darryl Ashton

via email

Start to make some noise

My mother, the actress Marjie Lawrence, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three weeks before she died. It was too late for anything but palliative care.

One in 50 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Currently, less than a third of women are confident they know the four main symptoms, and earlier diagnosis could save thousands of lives. That’s why Target Ovarian Cancer wants to start making noise this March for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

The main symptoms of ovarian cancer are: tummy pain, persistent bloating, feeling full and needing to wee more.

I’m asking your readers to help save lives by spreading the word about the symptoms and raise much-needed money to support women living with ovarian cancer in the UK.

There are loads of ways to make some noise, including The Big Colour Clash. Join us on Friday, March 10, and wear your loudest outfits in school or work for a donation.

We’ll send you everything you need – free balloons, symptoms leaflets, badges and wristbands. Call 020 7923 5474 or visit targetovariancancer.org.uk/March

Sarah Greene

Target Ovarian Cancer Ambassador