Readers' letters - September 23

I was fascinated to hear that following his humiliating resignation as our Prime Minister back in June, David Cameron has now decided to resign as a Westminster MP.

His announcement coincided at the same time as two news stories that highlighted how his ideologically driven austerity policies devastated communities and the lives of people across Britain, increasing inequality and poverty.

Both stories make it abundantly clear that the results of his six years’ tenure reducing working people’s rights and weakening regulation whilst doggedly sticking to a failing ideologically driven neoliberal economic policy has seen the mighty rich watch their wealth double whilst millions of others struggle to make ends meet.

Whilst the Tories wallowed in Cameron’s achievements and the accolades flowed in his direction, I have to say it made me puke.

His record will go down in history as the Premier who wielded the axe on massive welfare cuts that brought misery to millions, relentless attacks on our NHS, and vital public services. What happened to his pledge to leave behind the “Nasty Party” Tory image?

David Cameron’s final epitaph must surely be: Brexit.

He gambled that, by calling a referendum, this would crush the long-standing divisions, both within and outside of his party, relating to membership of the European Union. This backfired on him and has left our nation divided.

It’s goodbye and good-riddance from me to Mr Cameron, I shall never forget you and your famous long- lasting words that: “We are all in this together.”

John Yale

Address supplied

environment

Saving the orangutans

International Orangutan Day took place just over a month ago – but the issues then are just as important now as then. The stark truth is this: these beautiful, gentle creatures are in danger of becoming extinct – thanks to an aggressive, greedy species, the human. The Orangutan Conservancy believes there are only about 45,000 orangutans remaining in Borneo and Sumatra. And yet, only 10 years ago, the number was about 60,000. Scarily, many experts believe orangutans could be extinct in the wild in less than 25 years. The dangers are: loss of habitat through deforestation and palm oil plantations; illegal pet trade and hunting. I feel it would be a global tragedy if we lost this animal. Log on to www.bornfree.org.uk and www.orangutan.com

Jane
via email

anthem

Land of Hope a better choice

Rejoicing in the remarkable success of Team GB in the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, I feel so proud to be English.

The winners from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland did not represent their own country, so the Union flag was carried by the victors in celebration, but, unlike other nations, the country’s national anthem was not played. However, when God save the Queen is played, I feel a certain dissatisfaction: the tune is dirge-like and the words do not celebrate the nation but the monarch. While watching the Last Night of the Proms, I realised we already have a good replacement – Land of Hope and Glory. With these alterations, the whole nation can sing wholeheartedly this stirring song, which truly represents us and our heritage. Any thoughts?

A Craven via email