Readers' letters - May 8

I have heard that TV presenter Simon Reeve has taken a ‘no single-use plastic’ pledge in June.

Reading about this has made me realise just how much plastic has taken over our lives and how often I buy a plastic bottle, drink the contents and discard it.

True, I am not a litter bug and will always throw the plastic item in a bin, in ideal circumstances, in a specific recycling bin.

But what if there was less plastic in the first place?

When the charge for plastic carrier bags came into effect, I couldn’t believe the negative reaction from some scrooges who were upset at having to pay 5p.

We have become so indoctrinated into our convenient, cheap, throwaway ideology that we forget about the wider world. Fewer carrier bags has resulted in less litter and pollution – win win for humans and animals alike.

And Simon Reeve is taking up the pledge for a good reason – he’s backing the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which is asking people to give up single-use plastics for up to a month.

Could I join Simon and give up conveniences like ready meals, pre-packed sandwiches, and plastic-bottled drinks for a day, week or month? I don’t know. But it would be interesting to try.

According to the conservation society, the amount of plastic litter on our beaches has risen by 180 per cent in 20 years. Plastic is often found in the stomachs of wildlife which lives in the seas, and can even kill them. Turtles are one example.

There are predictions that there could be more plastic than fish in our seas by 2050. Is that really the type of world we want to leave our children and grandchildren?

Jane

via email

Bring back

more police

Diane Abbott can be relied upon to make a car crash of a good policy.

However, I never thought I’d say this, but behind the headlines lurks a good Labour policy.

I’ve been disgusted by the Conservatives cutting police numbers at a time when violent crime is rising.

We face increased terrorist and cyber crime threats. My friends in rural areas are also seriously worried by crime.

Despite police claims, there are serious thefts taking place almost daily with gangs targeting stables, farm machinery and isolated rural properties.

Yet nothing seems to be done to stop them.

It is the same for fly-tipping, now a scourge of town and country alike.

Again criminal gangs are involved but much is opportunist dumping by anti-social householders and so-called tradesmen.

It must be stopped.

Traditionally Conservatives claimed to be the party of law and order.

If only that were true.

By cutting police and supposedly saving money, they pass on costs of security and refuse clearance to landowners and farmers.

Despite my reservations about the party, I am pleased that Labour, at least, recognise rising crime and will bring back more police. It’s a long overdue reform.

Roddy P Taylor

Address supplied

Paying to leave sinking ship

The EU insists we must pay billions before we can leave the sinking ship. Unbelievable! Is it not time for the UK Government to remind the Europeans of the sacrifice the British people paid to liberate them during the Second World War.

After all these years, Europe has changed very little. It is still governed by unelected bureaucrats, obeying the orders of some ‘crackpot’ or other in Berlin. Long live free Britain.

P Ward

Address supplied